How Covid-19 Adds To The Complexity of Depression

Here we are more than six months into the coronavirus outbreak and it’s clear we still have a long road ahead. This is a distressing, uncertain time. Maybe you are grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of your day to day routine before the outbreak. Perhaps you are experiencing financial stress or job loss. You may even be struggling to find hope and positivity during these long days.

Living amid a global pandemic can have a profound impact on your mood. Depression can make these challenging times seem even worse. When you’re depressed, everything is filtered through a lens of negativity and gloom. All the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 only add to spiraling thoughts that may cause panic and anxiety

All of these unprecedented factors add up in a BIG way!

To start, it’s important to know that depression is a complex brain disorder. It’s so much more than just feeling sad. Depression may be caused by one factor alone or a combination of factors including biological, psychological, and environmental.

At some point, nearly everyone encounters stressful life events. We all experience loss, illness, broken relationships, and grief…it’s part of being human. While not everyone faced with adversity developed a mood disorder, stressful life events play an important role in developing or worsening depressive symptoms.

Stress has many physiological consequences. It triggers a chain of chemical reactions and responses in the body. A little bit of stress that comes and goes is normal. The problem is when stress starts to become chronic and a part of your daily life. It can shift those chemical reactions within your body into overdrive causing long-lasting change to your body and brain.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Factors Worsen Depression Symptoms

Negative lifestyle factors can contribute to depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the uncertainty, fear, and regulations surrounding the novel coronavirus have caused people to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as:
• Unhealthy diet
• Lack of exercise
• Poor sleep
• Use of drugs and alcohol

Significant and traumatic events can trigger depression…like the outbreak of a novel disease. It’s OK to not be OK. We understand all of the challenges that are affecting the way you feel during this time.

Find Relief From Your Symptoms

Recovery from depression is possible! Sometimes finding the energy and motivation to take the first step can be tough. When you’re depressed, it’s easy to forget the small steps that can help to lift your mood and improve your outlook.

Start today by giving our office a call. From advanced, non-medication treatments like TMS Therapy to psychotherapy and medication, our team at Psychiatry Northwest and TMS Washington is here to help you find a path forward to mental wellness.