Stress and Anxiety in the Time of Coronavirus

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease is often intimidating, and may cause you to become overwhelmed. Strong emotions can arise. Coping with stress during times like this will make you stronger in dealing with your emotions.  We all react differently to how we respond to stress. In this time of outbreak, how you react often depends on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and what I like to refer to as your belief system. What does stress look like at a time like this:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Now is the time to look out for yourself, and turn to your family and friends for help you cope during this period and beyond.  Call your healthcare provider if the stress becomes overwhelming and begins to interfere in your daily activities.  Help is available, and in these times take advantage of talking to a counselor or psychotherapist who utilizes TeleTherapy, a HIPAA-compliant way to engage in taking care of you without taking risks of coming in contact with large groups.   For support throughout this quarantine, reach out to Rick Cullen via our website https://www.caringtherapistsofbroward.com/bvsd/rick-cullen-lcsw/ Rick Cullen, LCSW Rick is a Native Floridian who provides individual and couples therapy to persons age 17 – 90 who struggle with mental health issues, including anxiety, addiction, mood disorders (e.g. Depression, Bipolar), and thought disorders (e.g. Schizophrenia). Advocating for people has always been Rick’s passion and he has practiced this from the outset of his career, first as a criminal defense lawyer, and currently as a psychotherapist.