The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. People across the globe are forced to regroup, coming up with ways to survive blow after blow. Healthcare systems remain to be under siege, even with a vaccine at hand. The pandemic has brought forth an experience unlike any other, upturning the familiar as we know it. Unfortunately, such unprecedented change has also given rise to yet another pandemic—the pandemic of grief, loneliness, isolation, and of course, survivor’s guilt.
Patients who have been discharged after contracting the virus feel like there’s little to celebrate.
When it comes to COVID patients, healthcare systems exhaust all means to ensure a holistic recovery, including the help of psychiatrists. They need to address anxiety and depression, allowing individuals to heal from their collective trauma.
Dealing with Survivor’s Guilt
Even after a patient recovers from COVID-19, they will still need to heal from the mental and physical consequences that follow the illness. COVID-19 survivors likely will face challenges in their mental health, and it’s essential to understand their behaviors and cognitions after surviving the disease.
It’s important to understand that COVID-19 is a severe illness that can take a toll on a person’s physical and mental health, and it will take time for them to recover from this. They need patience and understanding after a life-altering illness, and not giving them these needs can cause further psychological harm. Survivors of this disease also need to recover physically, so it’s important to encourage proper diet and exercise.
Because COVID-19 can be quite a dreadful illness, it’s necessary to create a comfortable and caring environment to help people cope better. Helping people feel good, accepted, loved, and heard can do wonders for their overall health.
There’s also a certain stigma attached to COVID-19. It’s a highly contagious illness, and people can discriminate against COVID-19 survivors. It’s important to remember that stigma can be stressful and harmful to COVID-19 survivors, so it’s best to help fight against stigma and avoid discrimination.
Similar to how the treatment of physical illnesses needs medical professionals’ help, mental health issues need proper treatment to ensure a full and proper recovery. It’s crucial to remind COVID-19 survivors that it’s never a bad thing to seek further help, given that the psychological effects of the illness can be difficult to bear alone.
Mental Health and Beyond
While it’s true that COVID-19 has brought forth numerous problems, mental health problems can be treated. Various tools are now available for many to access, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications. All these exist to provide them relief, especially when it comes to feelings of anxiety and sadness.
As the world continues to heal from the pandemic, doctors worldwide, in different fields, believe in silver linings. With a vaccine on the way and therapies readily available, we’re all expected to recover—one step at a time.
If you’re on the hunt for affordable therapy in NYC, Therapy24x7 has you covered. We offer you psychotherapy and life-coaching services, which can be accessed both online and in-office. We are here to help provide support and coping strategies, especially in such dark times. We’re all in this together—book an appointment today.