April 21, 2021
After more than a year of the Covid-19 pandemic, our country is inching closer to normality. But right now, we’re living in a grey area. As society reopens, some people may feel reservations about jumping back into pre-pandemic activities — and the anxieties we developed over the past year won’t immediately dissolve as restrictions are lifted.
6 Sneaky Ways Pandemic Trauma May Pop Up As Things Go Back To Normal
HuffPost spoke with therapists and trauma specialists about how the mental health effects of the last year may re-trigger existing anxieties and spark new fears as we navigate this transitional period. You may still feel unsafe during the vaccination period.We won’t really be in the clear until 70% to 90% of the population has been inoculated, and many are feeling anxious as they attempt to suss out what’s safe and what isn’t. 
“Until we reach more of a herd immunity, I’m actually seeing people get more anxious around the vaccines, creating an extra thing to worry about,” said Valentina Stoycheva, a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist in Northport, New York.
Depending on supply and demand in different areas, some may be dealing with the stress of trying getting vaccine appointments. And because we are all on a different vaccination schedule ― and the vaccines take some time to provide full immunity ― keeping track of who has been vaccinated versus who’s still vulnerable can add to confusion around safety as we begin to socialise again. You might find yourself more stressed during times of uncertainty.This entire pandemic has forced us to grapple with uncertainty in a way many of us never have before.
“Uncertainty and unreliability — not having the security of knowing what happens yet — has been traumatising at a core level, from the very beginning,” said Maureen O’Reilly-Landy, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of medical psychology in psychiatry at Columbia University. 
We are in a much better place than we were months ago, but there are still enough unknowns about how the next months will play out to keep us feeling unsettled. We may also experience heightened stress in situations where we’re not in control ― more so than we may have before the pandemic.You might feel uneasy or burned out in social situations.As the newly vaccinated begin to make plans to reconnect with loved ones and make up for lost time, Stoycheva has observed “planning fatigue” leading to rumination and increased worry.
“People are planning and replanning and playing out scenarios of how different social interactions can go, everything from what we’re going to wear, to who’s vaccinated and who’s not, are we going to mask or not,” she said, adding that some express anxiety over activities like making small talk or going on a first date again. You may also engage in more avoidant behaviours.Some may find themselves turning down more invitations or not doing activities they used to love. This is called avoidance — which has basically been forced on us up until this point, said Melanie Greenberg, a clinical psychologist and author of “The Stress-Proof Brain.”
Avoidance can be a coping mechanism in response to trauma and high anxiety, Greenberg explained. As our personal bubbles expand, not everyone feels ready to let go of the emotional safety net provided by staying home and only socialising with a small pod.  
“It doesn’t seem like people are plunging forward — it seems like there’s caution,” she said.You might have nightmares, racing thoughts, headaches and other PTSD symptoms.The pandemic is a traumatic event that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder. This is especially true for first responders and medical workers, who may see a kind of delayed reaction to pandemic stressors they couldn’t fully process in the moment.
Common PTSD symptoms include flashbacks or nightmares, racing thoughts and somatic responses like heightened heartbeat, tension headaches or gastrointestinal symptoms. 
O’Reilly-Landry described trauma as an “overactivation of the nervous system.” When you’re already in an overactivated state, exposure to conditions that remind you of past traumas or fearful situations — for example, hearing an ambulance siren — can trigger earlier or existing traumas and have a compounding effect. You might find yourself in fight-or-flight mode at seemingly random times.We’ve experienced a kind of neurological conditioning in response to dangerous situations during the past year, Greenberg said. 
“Anything related to survival or a threat, your brain gives it the highest priority,” she said. The amygdala, the part of the brain that processes emotions and fear, “generates a biochemical response of hormones and neurotransmitters to gear yourself up for fight-or-flight mode.” 
Once your brain associates certain stimuli with fear, it’s hard to break the connection. This explains why some knee-jerk responses stay with us even if the threat goes away.
For example, you may be two weeks past your second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine but still feel your chest tighten in a crowd of people. It’s similar to going on a hike and jumping in fear because you mistook a stick for a snake. The automatic fear response happens before you can rationally understand that you’re not in danger. It may take a while for our brains to catch up and feel safe doing certain activities. How to prepare for and cope with post-pandemic anxiety and traumaRecognise that we’re dealing with trauma responses built up over a difficult and painful year. Feeling overwhelmed is normal, and it’s okay to take it slow. 
O’Reilly-Landry suggested making time for self-care and exercise, which can help lessen anxiety during this transitional time. She also recommended finding a source of information you can trust to combat feelings of uncertainty around pandemic safety. As we learn more, we’re better able to understand the risks.  
Stoycheva also recommended setting boundaries and communicating them to others regarding “what we’re OK with and what we’re not.” Acknowledge that our levels of comfort are different from others — and that they might change as we become reacclimated to post-pandemic life. 
“If right now I feel like I might be able to do something, but I’m just not sure how I’m going to feel once I go there, it’s important to remind ourselves we can check in with ourselves every step of the way,” Stoycheva said. “When we voice our boundaries to others without inner conflict, we’re both able to take care of ourselves and not go into these judgmental ways of thinking about others.”
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.Related...It's The Last Day Of Shielding, But We Don't Feel ReliefWe Were Told To 'Stay Home'. We've Never Wanted To Move MoreWhy Insomnia And Burnout May Increase Your Covid Risk
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi Celebrate “Three Years of Bliss” Ahead of Wedding
March 24, 2024
C4Ehegcq1-A
Kate Middleton & Prince William "Enormously Touched" by Public Support
March 24, 2024
s8fig-RCjFc
Gisele Bündchen Denies Cheating on Ex-Husband Tom Brady
March 23, 2024
_SpRMagA8BM
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
'Everybody Was S----ing Their Pants': Nick Thune Jokes About Being Born in the '70s and Fatherhood
March 16, 2024
mm7Baf6o2d8
Gunna Says Tour Will Up Creativity in Rap, Endorses Flo Milli | TMZ
March 22, 2024
QfMU24fw-Qo
Reporter Taylor Lorenz Says Palace Botched Kate Cancer News Rollout | TMZ Live
March 22, 2024
o43ZucdiyEo
Riley Strain's Body Found After Going Missing in Nashville 2 Weeks Ago | TMZ NOW
March 22, 2024
1m1zM-4_Cs8
Kyle Richards hasn’t spoken to co-star Dorit Kemsley, denies sending her a ‘manipulative’ text
March 24, 2024
LqLZzDP1hm4
Jordan Emanuel on her connection to 'RHOSLC' star Meredith Marks, advice from Amanda Batula
March 24, 2024
5NPAwlOov1Y
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary apologizes after slamming ‘fickle’ Meghan Markle in scathing interview
March 24, 2024
JWG9kitALZk
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SK Brann W - Barcelona W
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Hacken W - PSG W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SL Benfica W - Lyon W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Ajax W - Chelsea W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Brighton - Manchester City
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.