Do you notice how things are different these days since Covid-19 hit? Do you feel more on edge or easily overwhelmed by things? Do you notice yourself getting irritable or upset more often, or even getting downright sad and lonely about how things are right now? These are all aspects of the grief over the long-term changes caused by the pandemic and accompanying economic collapse and social unrest.
Pandemic Grief Is Afflicting Everyone
It doesn’t show up the same for everyone, but we all are experiencing the changes in the world around us. Just like with normal grief, there are aspects of it that each person exhibits. Some people are experiencing denial, wanting to believe that nothing is really wrong and they don’t have to make changes in relation to changes in the world at large. Some people are feeling depressed about it and missing everything that used to be, and may also be feeling a lot of loneliness with so much fewer social options available. Other people are easily prone to anger or anxiety because of how unfair everything seems or all the uncertainty going on in the world, for example. These are all reflections of the same shared experience despite how differently appear, and are all associated with changes because of the pandemic that is affecting the globe right now. Also, if you didn’t see a particular feeling or reaction covered in this paragraph, don’t assume it’s something odd or non-related to Covid-19. It could very well be regardless.
What To Do About Pandemic Grief
The first main thing to do in dealing with it is to recognize it for what it is: grief. Once you’ve done that, you aren’t so liable to blame someone else for your unhappiness, unless you think they’re responsible for the pandemic. Even then, that won’t do much good. You still have your grief experience to get through.
One important thing to do if you’re not sure if it is grief related to all the changes in 2020 is to talk to someone you trust to get they’re take on what you’re experiencing, especially if they know something about grief and loss. The short answer is there is no standard way of experiencing grief and loss, and everybody tends to experience it a little differently.
Brene Brown recently had a good podcast with a noted expert on the show. Perhaps listening to that or other supportive resources can help you get an idea about what you’re dealing with. Reading books about grief and loss can be helpful as well, such as those by David Kessler, who was the guest on Brene Brown’s podcast can be supportive.
One thing that often helps those dealing with grief is to journal about it, keeping a regular log of emotions and thoughts related to what has been lost.
Having regular ongoing interaction with others who you can relate to and can relate to you is important, but often not something you are inclined to engage in. Having it scheduled for every week or so can be a good way of not avoiding it and isolating, because people who are grieving are prone to isolation.
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What I Can Do To Help With Pandemic Grief
I’ve been helping people in dealing with grief and loss for my entire career as a social worker, and can tell you that there is no situation that can’t be bettered by therapy for grief and loss. There is also no limit on how long the grieving process can last, nor any ‘normal’ way of experiencing this. So if you think you suffer from pandemic grief and need help in dealing with it, feel free to reach out to me for a free 20-minute consult, and I can give you a better idea if I can help you with your particular situation. Just call the number at the top of the page or fill out an inquiry form below and I will get back to you, normally within 24 hours during the week. The main thing is to recognize the grief you have and to deal with it, because grief doesn’t just go away one day. It persists until it is dealt with. I support you in dealing with it in the most healthy way possible!
Visit our specialty page on grief counseling to learn more about how Scott can help you with grief and loss.
About the author: Scott Kampschaefer, LCSW is a private practice therapist in Frederick, Maryland. He has an extensive background in working with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder at a clinic for older adults with these disorders in Austin. He now works with adults and adolescents 14 and up in private practice. His new e-book is entitled The 5 Pillars of Addiction Recovery and is available for purchase on Amazon.