Everyone has stress; it’s a natural part of life. Over the past few years or so, COVID-19, the election, violence and unrest in the nation have taken every-day stress to a whole ‘nother level. If you’re wondering why it seems like the world is a little more on edge, or why you personally are feeling not on top of your game, here’s something to keep in mind: we are all grieving.
Our ideas about what can cause feelings of loss or grief are often pretty narrow. They include loss of a loved one, a relationship, pet or possession. Loss and the challenges that come with it actually can encompass much more than that. The pandemic and other conditions have caused huge changes in our lives. In other words, we have “lost” much of what used to be part of our normal world. Often our emotional reaction to one big life change is the same as it is to many small changes. You may not think that “grief” is an appropriate way to describe how you feel about your missed gym time or cancelled vacation, but these seemingly small inconveniences, combined with the thousand other ways life has been abnormal lately, can deal a serious shock to our system.
We all have our go-to sources for comfort and recharging when faced with stressful situations: friends, recreation, relaxation, entertainment, etc. Unfortunately, these strategies are sometimes insufficient — or in the case of 2020–21, unavailable — to pull us out of a funk. Some stressors hit us hard enough to interfere with our ability to function well at home, work and relationships. It turns out this is a thing in the mental health world, and it’s referred to as Adjustment Disorder or Stress Response Syndrome.
Don’t let words like “disorder” throw you off. Adjustment Disorder simply describes what many of us are going through right now as a result of recent events. Signs of this condition vary from person to person, but they can include:
Depression-related symptoms:
Anxiety-related symptoms:
Behavior-related symptoms:
Although they may look similar, Adjustment Disorder is different than general anxiety and depression in that those conditions usually last for a longer period of time and are not in direct response to a particular stressor or stressors. Technically, Adjustment Disorder symptoms develop as a reaction to one or more known stressors within 3 months of the stressors beginning and often subside within 6 months of the resolution or disappearance of the identified stressors.
Knowing that symptoms won’t last forever may bring some comfort, but it might not make dealing with things today any easier. If this is your situation, it’s important to know that you do not have to face it alone. Telehealth therapy, through Tava Health, can be an effective way to get the additional support you need during a difficult time. Talking with a therapist can help you think through what is currently going on and learn effective strategies to use when future challenges come.
As you are considering whether to engage in therapy, you can take some immediate steps that can help you begin to feel better. Below are a few examples of things you can try:
What if it is more than stress?
If you think you may be singing the Adjustment Disorder blues, don’t be discouraged. Keep in mind that a relatively quick recovery from an Adjustment Disorder is possible, especially with the added support, care, and guidance from a trained therapist. Please reach out to your HR department or hello@tavahealth.com if you have any questions about getting started with Tava.
