How to deal with Covid-19 anxiety

Estelle Raath, deputy manager of Wedge Gardens rehabilitation centre, shared her experiences of the general anxiety that has become so commonplace during the pandemic.

“I am not even an anxious person. I’m organised, but definitely not anxious. So what has happened to me during the pandemic?” This is the question Raath started asking herself when she noticed added pressures.

For her, reasoning seemed to relate to the following: “I think as a frontline worker, the fear and anxiety caused by this disease and what could happen to all of us was overwhelming in the beginning.

“While most of the country stayed in level five lockdown, we had to drive the empty highways to work, not knowing what every day would be like and fearing that we would be the ones bringing Covid-19 into our homes.”

Anxiety and stress during the pandemic can cause:

• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Deterioration of chronic and mental health conditions
• Increased use of substances.

Raath remembered waking up in the middle of the night with her heart pounding. She tried to persuade herself to stay calm and breathe.

“My thoughts were: “If I am going through this, what is a naturally anxious person going through right now?”

Looking back, Raath said she realised staying in routine and going to work every day, despite being scared, was her saving grace.

“People with pre-existing anxiety or substance use disorders may be extra vulnerable. Anxiety affects a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, behaviour and daily functioning. There are so many factors that can affect the way we respond to anxiety in a pandemic.”

She urged people with pre-existing anxiety should continue with their treatment and if the symptoms increase, they must contact their health-care provider immediately.

“One thing I realised was I first have to take care of myself and my thoughts before I can help those around me. So many people around me are struggling with anxiety caused by Covid-19, but I think we will only see the real effects much later.”

This time reminded her of this famous quote by Ali Ibn Abi Talib: “Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety, after all it is only in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly.”

Contact Wedge Gardens on 010 534 6596 or visit www.wedgegardens.co.za