Buzz
The recent years have been overwhelmingly challenging for everyone. With concerns about health, safety, the death or sickness of loved ones, financial struggles due to job loss, and the constant shifts in schooling and childcare, the stress has been unrelenting. As a result, some individuals may be grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by these stressors.
“Typically, trauma comes from something visible that triggers your body’s fight, flight, or freeze response, but with COVID, the threat is invisible,” explained Stephanie Stathas, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks, who specializes in trauma treatment. Over the last few years, Stathas has observed a significant rise in people seeking help, many of whom are experiencing trauma-related symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
Continuous stress can lead to PTSD-like symptoms
PTSD usually emerges in the weeks following a traumatic event, although it can also appear months or even years later. Symptoms can include heightened alertness, emotional detachment or numbness, flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, anxiety, depression, as well as physical signs like headaches, dizziness, or stomach pain.
While PTSD is commonly associated with a single traumatic incident, such as surviving a car crash or violent assault, it can also develop after prolonged exposure to stress or repeated traumatic events. If the traumatic occurrences were continuous, with no escape in sight, this can result in what is called complex PTSD, which shares symptoms with PTSD but also involves feelings of guilt, shame, or low self-worth; difficulty managing emotions; and struggles with building and maintaining healthy relationships. “It’s no longer just one isolated event—now, you’re dealing with multiple events, and those combined contribute to complex PTSD,” Stathas explained.
Complex PTSD often arises in individuals who experienced abuse in their childhood, were involved in abusive relationships as adults, or faced other prolonged periods of unrelenting stress that they couldn’t escape. Given the widespread nature of the pandemic, many people’s symptoms are a direct result of sustained stress.
However, experts are beginning to recognize that the pandemic is a distinct stressor that will likely produce its own set of trauma-related symptoms. Some specialists have already introduced the term COVID Stress Syndrome, which encompasses fears of contracting the virus, concerns about the financial consequences of the pandemic, fear of others who may be infected, compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking behaviors, along with other pandemic-related stress symptoms.
As Stathas emphasizes, it’s the uncertainty and unpredictability of the past years that have contributed to the overwhelming stress. “All of those constant changes contribute to feelings of helplessness and powerlessness against something, and that’s tough,” said Stathas. “Having some sense of control over something can help us feel better, but going more than two years without that sense is frightening.”
How to cope with PTSD symptoms
If the challenges from recent years have reached a point where they are negatively affecting your personal relationships, physical health, or emotional well-being, it is essential to seek assistance sooner rather than waiting for things to escalate.
“When it catches up to you, and you can’t pinpoint why, take a look at what remains unresolved, what hasn't been addressed,” said Stathas. “It will inevitably catch up. I see it all the time.”
In general, it’s wise to find someone who is skilled in trauma treatment, as there are various treatment methods available. Some common therapies for PTSD include cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Depending on what works best for you, one method might be more effective than another. Many therapists are trained in multiple techniques and may blend strategies from each to suit your needs. “There’s no stigma in seeking therapy,” Stathas emphasized. “It’s just like seeing a doctor for physical health. Mental health is equally important.”
