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When the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, healthcare workers who have been on the frontlines could still be dealing with the impact. A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that during the coronavirus outbreak in China, nearly one in every two healthcare workers reported clinically concerning levels of depression and anxiety, and 71% reported significant psychological distress.
“Healthcare workers are essential for battling the virus,” says Chad Wetterneck, PhD, clinical director, Trauma Recovery Services at Rogers Behavioral Health. “But while they’ve been trained to deal with a crisis and put themselves in harm’s way, the ongoing nature of COVID-19 combined with the risk of being infected, potentially transmitting it to their loved ones, and even losing their own lives puts them in danger of experiencing symptoms of trauma,” he explains.
Trauma can occur with exposure to perceived or actual death or loss. It typically causes a variety of reactions including fear, guilt, shame, sleeplessness, nightmares, anxiety, and emotional numbing. Social distancing and the isolation many healthcare workers are resorting to in order to protect family and friends adds to the stress they’re already dealing with.
“They’re losing their natural support system,” says Dr. Wetterneck. “Not being able to be physically around people who love and support you could evolve into lack of emotional connectedness and not sharing or processing with anyone what’s being experienced on the job. Rather than internalize what is going on at the hospital or clinic because it’s not pleasant to think about, healthcare workers need to be talking about it.”
If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Rogers offers clinically proven and compassionate treatment throughout the country. Call 800-767-4411 or request a free screening.
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