Invisible after-effects of COVID-19: anxiety and depression in healthcare workers.

Advice on how to avoid psychological burnout in healthcare workers and frontline staff.

Increasingly, psychotherapy offices are filling up with clients who, since the onset of the pandemic, feel that they are in depressed or anxious states.

The huge change in routines at home and at work, the lack of social contact, the restrictions on mobility and access to leisure and health services.... These are triggers for our nervous and emotional system to be affected if we do not have mechanisms or strategies to help us alleviate these drastic changes in our lives.

Logically in the case of health care workers and helpers who are on the front line and in contact with patients and COVID patients, these feelings of anguish, sadness or fear live with them every day..

Psychological burnout of healthcare workers in the COVID-19 crisis.

A study published in the Revista Española de Salud Pública (Spanish Journal of Public Health) revealed that medium-high levels of anxiety (26.5%- 44.6%), depression (8.1%-25%), worry and insomnia (23.6%-38%), and stress levels (3.8%-68.3%) were observed in healthcare population..

All these emotional responses are to be expected in the face of a global pandemic situation, they are fine and should be legitimized; what would be unexpected would be if they had had no effect on our healthcare workers, on us and on our lives.

We are going to see what are the most common symptoms that in these situations could be an alarm and propose some psychological first aid advice that can serve to reduce the feeling of discomfort in the daily life of those people who are in the front line of the pandemic.

Warning signs

At the physical level, symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, sleeping difficulties, headaches, changes in eating habits, and digestive discomfort appear.

At the emotional level irritability, anxiety, feelings of guilt and helplessness, aggressiveness, pessimism, and being at the mercy of others.and defensiveness are emotional symptoms that may also appear.

On the cognitive level there are usually difficulties in concentrating on tasks and small gaps in memory..

And finally, at the social level there are also difficulties in the relationship and/or communication with co-workers and with friends and family.

How to combat the symptoms?

Here are some general tips for dealing with the psychological disturbances associated with working with sick people in the context of a pandemic.

1. Letting go of dysfunctional beliefs

Let go of certain irrational beliefs about the role of caregiver, such as that the caregiver is always well, has unlimited abilities to cope with the pandemic, and is always able to cope with the symptoms of the pandemic.The caregiver is always fine, has unlimited coping skills, does not need to hydrate, eat or rest while people are suffering, or has no needs of his or her own.

2. Emotional venting

It is important to talk about what has happened to us or how we have felt in one situation or another, with our own co-workers.It is important to talk about what has happened to us or how we have felt in one situation or another with our own co-workers. They are the ones who are going through the same situation and who can better understand, listen and share. It does not mean burdening others but sharing experiences, coping resources, feelings, emotions...this will help us to let go and limit it to be part of the work and not take it home.

3. Return to routine

When we live through such dramatic situations that are prolonged in time, we tend to disconnect with what is the reality outside of crisis situations. Everything begins to be relativized and can lead to the catastrophe entering into all areas of our daily lives. That is why it is important to return to the usual routines when we get home, put the washing machine on, make dinner and lunch for the next day, take out the dog, take out the garbage and participate in family life.

This helps to connect with the other realityThis helps to connect with the other reality, the one of your day-to-day life and to have some sense of control in your life.

4. Increased self-care

If we are not well we will not be able to take good care of ourselves, this is the main idea. In times of increased stressful situations it is essential not only to take care of oneself but also to increase it..

Here I propose some ideas and activities with which you can carry out the maintenance of self-care: have a time of rest and disconnection, keep in touch with family and friends, practice sports, practice leisure and cultural activities, be in contact with nature, use relaxation and meditation techniques, have a hobby (and practice it) and sunbathe for 30 minutes / day.

5. Professional help

If you notice that the symptoms are of a high intensity that produces discomfort and that self-care is not sufficient to cope with the discomfort, it is advisable to consult a physician and seek professional help..

Summarizing

Dealing with crisis situations is a complex process, involving a large number of emotions and thoughts that are difficult to manage, and most of the time, professionals themselves are not trained in coping strategies to help them maintain good mental health. Therefore, seeking help from peers, institutions and mental health professionals is always a good option.

Bibliographic references:

• García-Iglesias JJ, Gómez-Salgado J, Martín Pereira J, Fagundo-Rivera J, Ayuso-Murillo D, Martínez-Riera JR, Ruiz-Frutos C. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) on the mental health of health professionals: a systematic review. Rev Esp Public Health. 2020; 94: July 23 e202007088.