COVID Anxiety Syndrome: What It Is and How To Cope

Signs include compulsively checking for symptoms, obsessive cleaning, continuing to strictly isolate even if vaccinated, feelings of hopelessness or bitterness, and difficulty thinking about other topics besides COVID. CAS can even manifest in physical ways, including poor sleep, digestive issues, and headaches.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind COVID Anxiety Syndrome: What It Is & How To Cope   The coronavirus pandemic has created real trauma in lives across the globe—and not just in physical ways directly related to the virus itself. Many people experienced—and continue to deal with—pandemic-related anxiety that has impacted their ability to navigate the world the way they once did.   Thanks to vaccinations and a greater understanding of the way the virus works, restrictions have finally begun easing. Children are back at school, international and domestic travel is allowed, and family and friends are seeing more of each other. Still, many are struggling to re-integrate into society and find themselves self-soothing with compulsory behaviors.   Experts have dubbed this persistent worry "COVID anxiety syndrome" (CAS). Signs include compulsively checking for symptoms, obsessive cleaning, continuing to strictly isolate even if vaccinated, feelings of hopelessness or bitterness, and difficulty thinking about other topics besides COVID. CAS can even manifest in physical ways, including poor sleep, digestive issues, and headaches.     If you find that your anxiety levels do not match any potential threats, it might be time to seek help from a professional." — AMY NASAMRAN, PH.D  What This Means For You Fear is a healthy response when we feel endangered, but the line between fear and anxiety can be difficult to navigate. As you contemplate re-integration, consider which of your actions are being driven by research-driven data and which are being pushed by anxiety.   Education around COVID can help you feel safer, as can seeking out positive messaging versus doomscrolling through anxiety-triggering media.   Continue participating in COVID safety measures—such as wearing a mask indoors, washing hands, and taking tests before visiting vulnerable people—but do slowly step outside your comfort zone and be mindful of which behaviors are compulsory and which are in line with potential threats.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has created a helpful webinar that helps people learn how to overcome COVID re-entry anxiety. It features conversations and FAQs with Ken Goodman (LCSW), Dr. Debra Kissen (CBT specialist), and Dr. David Rosmarin (psychiatrist). Products to Help You Feel Your Best If you're someone who's prone to anxiety, addressing it head-on can be helpful. "Untangle Your Anxiety," penned by psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher, helps you better understand your struggles with anxiety so you can move through life with less worry and more joy. "The Big Activity Book for Anxious People" takes a humorous, active approach to combat anxiety. Bound to make you laugh, it combines coloring activities with coping techniques, soothing facts, and mantras. Read These Next What Is Illness Anxiety Disorder? READ NOW How Mass Hysteria Is Related to Groupthink READ NOW Why Turning Off the News May Improve Your Mental Health READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy