The Collective Grief and PTSD Following the COVID Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge influence on the world, causing a great deal of grief and trauma to a large number of individuals everywhere. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health illness that develops after a traumatic incident, whereas grief is a normal reaction to loss. We’ll talk about the widespread grief and PTSD that the COVID pandemic has caused in this blog article. We’ll also explore the hypervigilance, avoidance, and reoccurrence of trauma, and how to cope with grief and trauma during and after the pandemic.
The COVID Pandemic’s Collective Grief and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Significant human casualties, social isolation, and financial misery have all been brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. People all throughout the world have consequently gone through widespread grief and trauma. A type of sadness known as collective grieving is experienced by a community or group of people who have all suffered a comparable loss. Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance are a few of the symptoms of PTSD, a mental health disease that can develop after a traumatic experience.
According to research, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an upsurge in PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in the general population. According to Lei et al. (2021), a systematic review and meta-analysis, those with COVID-19 were more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and PTSD than those without it. The study also discovered that healthcare workers had greater rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD than the general population.
The loss of loved ones, job loss, financial insecurity, and social isolation are just a few of the factors that have contributed to the general grief and PTSD. People’s behavior has changed as a result of the pandemic, which can be challenging to deal with. In addition to causing widespread grief and PTSD, the pandemic’s uncertainty and terror have also had an impact.
Hyper-vigilance, trauma avoidance, and trauma recurrence
PTSD frequently manifests as hypervigilance, avoidance, and recurrence. Avoidance is the act of staying away from events that bring up unpleasant memories, whereas hypervigilance is a state of increased awareness and worry. Recurrence of traumatic memories or sensations is referred to as reoccurrence. During the pandemic, these symptoms can be particularly challenging to manage because people may get triggered by memories of the infection or the death of loved ones.
During the epidemic, people’s reactions to hypervigilance, avoidance, and reoccurrence included avoiding crowded areas, donning masks, and routinely washing their hands. These actions are a result of the shock of the epidemic as well as the dread of catching the virus.
Regarding COVID, Understanding Grief and Trauma
Grief and trauma have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. Increased levels of sadness and trauma have been observed in the general population as a result of loved ones passing away, job loss, and financial hardship. Due to social isolation, people have not been able to grieve with their loved ones in the conventional manner, which has added to the general sadness and pain.
The link between the pandemic and mental health has also been made more apparent by the epidemic. According to research, the epidemic has caused an upsurge in PTSD, despair, and anxiety. According to a research by Sabherwal et al. (2021), the pandemic caused high levels of PTSD, sadness, and anxiety in American healthcare personnel.
Social isolation has had considerable negative consequences on grieving and traumatic experiences. Because social isolation has made it harder for people to obtain care, social support is crucial for coping with sorrow and trauma. In addition, the epidemic has made it challenging for people to access professional mental health services.
Grief and Trauma Management During and After the Pandemic
Globally, the COVID-19 epidemic has caused a great deal of suffering and loss. Although dealing with loss and trauma can be difficult, there are techniques that can be useful. Following are some coping mechanisms for handling pain and grief both during and after the pandemic:
- Seek social assistance: Grief and trauma coping require social support. Use social media, video chats, or phone conversations to stay in touch with loved ones. To connect with people going through similar circumstances, join online support groups or go to virtual counseling sessions.
- Self-care is the act of looking after oneself. This can be done by eating a balanced diet, exercising frequently, and engaging in mindfulness or meditation. Take breaks from the news and social media to prevent information overload.
- Accept your feelings: When coping with sorrow and trauma, it’s common to feel a variety of emotions. Knowing that it’s appropriate to grieve in your own way, let yourself to feel your emotions without passing judgment.
- Don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance if you are having trouble coping with loss and trauma. Virtual appointments are available at many mental health clinics, making it simpler to obtain care throughout the pandemic.
- The COVID-19 epidemic has had a profound effect on the world, causing widespread sadness and trauma. The loss of loved ones, loss of employment, unstable finances, and social isolation have all added to the general sadness and suffering. People who are dealing with the trauma of the pandemic may find it easier to cope if they are aware of the symptoms of PTSD, such as hypervigilance, avoidance, and recurrence. People can deal with grief and trauma during and after the epidemic by employing coping mechanisms include seeking out social support, caring for oneself, acknowledging one’s feelings, and getting professional assistance.
Prioritize your mental health and get help when you need it as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect people worldwide. We can help one another get through these trying times by working together as we get a knowledge of how the pandemic affects sorrow and trauma.
References:
- Lei, L., Huang, X., Zhang, S., Yang, J., Yang, L., & Xu, M. (2021). Comparison of prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among people affected by versus people unaffected by quarantine during the COVID-19 epidemic in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 281, 131-141.
- Sabherwal, S., Thakur, V., Gupta, R., & Satya, K. (2021). Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in the United States: A systematic review. Journal of occupational health, 63(1), e12216.
- Shear, M. K., & Ghesquiere, A. (2017). Grief and trauma in the DSM-5: A new frontier in diagnosis and treatment. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 80(2), 129-130.