“THE UNKNOWN” CAUSING HIGH ANXIETY: Patients and first responders...

YARMOUTH, MA – Many in our community are experiencing hightened levels of anxiety related to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The following HN Video (see below) illustrates what has now become a routine call where a patient (in this case an older male with preexisting conditions) called 911 very upset over symptoms that possibly indicated a COVID-19 infection. The thought of possibly becoming infected with COVID-19 can be very stressful, especially for those who already have other underlying health concerns.

Also included below, is some helpful information regarding coping with anxiety and stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak, taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (cdc.gov):

Outbreaks can be stressful

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Worsening of chronic health problems
Worsening of mental health conditions
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:

Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
Children and teens
People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first responders
People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Take care of yourself and your community

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Ways to cope with stress:

Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
Take care of your body.
Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Need help? Know someone who does?

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:

Call 911
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
Know the facts to help reduce stress
Sharing the facts about COVID-19. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful.
When you share accurate information about COVID-19, you can help make people feel less stressed and make a connection with them.

CLICK HERE for more CDC information related to stress and coping with the Coronavirus outbreak…

The following HN Video highlights what has unfortunately become a routine call…

[PRESS PLAY]

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by The Byrds… [ PRESS PLAY! CRANK IT!! HEADPHONE BRAIN LINK OBLIGATORY!!! ]

Eight Miles High

By The Byrds

Eight miles high, and when you touch down
You’ll find that it’s stranger than known
Signs in the street, that say where you’re going
Are somewhere just being their own

Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
Rain gray town, known for its sound
In places, small faces unbound

Round the squares, huddled in storms
Some laughing, some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes, and black limousines
Some living, some standing alone

You’d be surprised who can read HN and not let it get them down…