This was such a welcome post. I am actively trying to navigate risk to continue to approach a less fearful existence. My pandemic silver lining was also stripping away the things that really didn’t matter to me and in many ways coming into myself, flaws and all. I learned to slow down, I relished more time with loved ones.
However, things were also really hard.
During the pandemic, I had the experience of being in perimenopause and then menopause and also battling a pretty severe depression after the death of several close family members. I was also working in a public facing, healthcare-adjacent, “essential worker” human services role. Already stretched by my own bodily changes and actively grieving, absorbing the pain of others during that time took a toll. That said, I count myself so lucky that I had access to care, a loving partner, somewhere to live, etc. All the “things” that give me the luxury of sitting with my phone with a full stomach and a pet at my side, commenting to your post.
I want you to know how much your newsletter helped me through that time. I also wanted to see if what I am experiencing now is something you see in your patients. Although most of the time I feel like I’ve adjusted to this new way of living, I have times when I feel an uncharacteristic level of health anxiety- for me, for my loved ones- where I blow a symptom out of proportion and think the worst case scenario or when I become just effing freaked out. It almost feels like a trauma trigger- the sense of helplessness and fear just washes back over me. I’m getting help for this... and control was ALWAYS an illusion, but the pandemic seems to have created a little bit of a raw nerve here for me. Are you seeing this in others? And if so, could you perhaps post something for us that lets know we aren’t alone?
Thank you again for everything you do, and have done. Your public service means so much to so many of us! ❤️
Lindsey- thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Everything you are saying makes so much sense. And indeed you are not alone. In fact the reason I wrote this post is because I see the reverberations of pandemic-related anxiety in my patients, family and friends. I sometimes see it in myself, too. It's the nature of trauma - even once the threat is "gone" (or diminished), our nervous system takes time to re-equilibrate. Our rational brains can't always compete with our subconscious drive to protect ourselves from harm/pain/suffering...sometimes at the expense of our own wellbeing. I would love to use this comment as an opening for a newsletter if that's okay... you pretty much summarized what so many other people are feeling. You are more normal than you think! ❤️
Thank you so much for this response; it is so comforting to know that I’m not alone (though I’m sorry that others are feeling this way too). You absolutely can use any part of this for a newsletter! Thank you again for such a thoughtful and kind reply!
This was such a welcome post. I am actively trying to navigate risk to continue to approach a less fearful existence. My pandemic silver lining was also stripping away the things that really didn’t matter to me and in many ways coming into myself, flaws and all. I learned to slow down, I relished more time with loved ones.
However, things were also really hard.
During the pandemic, I had the experience of being in perimenopause and then menopause and also battling a pretty severe depression after the death of several close family members. I was also working in a public facing, healthcare-adjacent, “essential worker” human services role. Already stretched by my own bodily changes and actively grieving, absorbing the pain of others during that time took a toll. That said, I count myself so lucky that I had access to care, a loving partner, somewhere to live, etc. All the “things” that give me the luxury of sitting with my phone with a full stomach and a pet at my side, commenting to your post.
I want you to know how much your newsletter helped me through that time. I also wanted to see if what I am experiencing now is something you see in your patients. Although most of the time I feel like I’ve adjusted to this new way of living, I have times when I feel an uncharacteristic level of health anxiety- for me, for my loved ones- where I blow a symptom out of proportion and think the worst case scenario or when I become just effing freaked out. It almost feels like a trauma trigger- the sense of helplessness and fear just washes back over me. I’m getting help for this... and control was ALWAYS an illusion, but the pandemic seems to have created a little bit of a raw nerve here for me. Are you seeing this in others? And if so, could you perhaps post something for us that lets know we aren’t alone?
Thank you again for everything you do, and have done. Your public service means so much to so many of us! ❤️
Lindsey- thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Everything you are saying makes so much sense. And indeed you are not alone. In fact the reason I wrote this post is because I see the reverberations of pandemic-related anxiety in my patients, family and friends. I sometimes see it in myself, too. It's the nature of trauma - even once the threat is "gone" (or diminished), our nervous system takes time to re-equilibrate. Our rational brains can't always compete with our subconscious drive to protect ourselves from harm/pain/suffering...sometimes at the expense of our own wellbeing. I would love to use this comment as an opening for a newsletter if that's okay... you pretty much summarized what so many other people are feeling. You are more normal than you think! ❤️
Thank you so much for this response; it is so comforting to know that I’m not alone (though I’m sorry that others are feeling this way too). You absolutely can use any part of this for a newsletter! Thank you again for such a thoughtful and kind reply!