Crisis fatigue can be defined as how a person reacts to long term stress with feelings of being very tired or numbness to the world around them.
The events of the past few months have caused many of us overwhelming emotions which include depression, sadness, anxiety, and fear. The body’s response to stressful circumstances is to produce the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. When stressful circumstances persist for long periods of time, these higher level of these hormones can lead to depression, anxiety, weight gain, bone loss or high blood pressure. In some cases crisis fatigue can lead to substance abuse, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts.
The signs and symptoms of crisis fatigue include:
- Increased irritability
- Excessive emotional responses
- Lack of sleep
- Changes in normal routines
- Changes in appetite
Some of the ways a person can cope during these uncertain times is to learn how to reduce the level of stress in their life by:
- Reducing the amount of time spent on social media
- Limiting exposure to news reports
- Spending more time with family and friends
- Practicing meditation and yoga
- Finding activities that are calming like reading, listening to music, and crafts
It isn’t always easy to cope with stressful situations without professional help. If you are experiencing any long term effects, you may benefit by speaking to a mental health professional. You can schedule an appointment with a trained professional at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7160.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.