The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives around the world. The fear of the disease is only one part of the crisis of COVID. People have lost jobs, left school, lost faith in their neighbors, and gotten sick at the grocery store. You may not be afraid of the disease itself. But seeing your world in crisis is enough to push anyone to the brink of their wellbeing. Many people are struggling with depression and anxiety for the first time in their lives.
The Diathesis-Stress Model can explain some of the changes in peoples’ mental wellness that we are seeing. According to this psychological theory, we all have some vulnerability to disordered thinking, and the amount of stress in our lives determines whether we actually exhibit signs and symptoms of mental illness. For example, let’s say that you have a family history of mental illness. This would suggest that you are genetically more likely to have mental illness yourself. Add stress on top – for example, a pandemic – and you may start having irrational thoughts or worries that you didn’t struggle with before.
I’m telling you this not to scare you. Rather, I want to reassure you that your struggles are normal and in some cases predictable. If you are noticing yourself struggling more than you would like to be, that’s okay. You are human.
If you are looking for a listening ear and a calm presence, consider reaching out to us at Unwritten Endings.
We are currently offering in-person and teletherapy services.
If you’re interested in getting signed up, please reach out to us at (810) 444-2484 or contact us via email.
We look forward to hearing from you!
