Why are Psychologists Important in the Post-COVID era?

COVID-19 pandemic halted the entire world in its tracks in March of 2020. In rising to the challenge of an epidemic, governments and health organizations pushed for lockdowns with everyone being confined to their living spaces. Social distancing and isolation helped save many lives by preventing the transfer of the novel coronavirus, but it also made hundreds of people around the globe more vulnerable to mental health issues.

The impact of this pandemic on physical health was cosmic and the impact on mental health has also been substantial. People with existing mental health disorders saw a further decline in their health and high-risk people developed these disorders through the span of the pandemic. 

As the initial shock of the pandemic begins to wind down, it’s important to tackle these issues and there need to be healthcare providers available to help those who need it. Psychologists, moreover counselling psychologists, are key in helping people manage their emotions and feelings. Psychologists can also help patients process the change the world has gone through with the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted their mental wellbeing.

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Briefly put, COVID-19 causes a rift between people and their ability to cope with change, especially since social isolation and lockdown policies took away many typical coping mechanisms. The reaction of people to the COVID-19 pandemic alone has ranged from feelings of hopelessness and helplessness to panic and hysteria (think toilet paper hoarding).

In addition to this, many people haven’t been able to cope how they normally would, especially those belonging to vulnerable or marginalized groups, as they often had less access to social supports. These people may indeed be at risk of developing mental health challenges and may need the help of psychologists to help them process these feelings in the post COVID era. In the meanwhile, demand on psychologists has been high with waiting lists to access services often lengthy.

The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the economy of the world, with multiple markets crashing and putting many people out of work. Joblessness further exaggerates the feeling of hopelessness and is associated with negative outcomes such as suicidal ideation, depression, stress, and anxiety. Many people put their worth and identity in their careers and when that isn’t present anymore, (alongside being locked at home giving them ample time to overthink), they experience a sense of grief and loss. It alters how they view the world and themselves.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the powerlessness people have experienced in the face of this pandemic has actually worsened in some cases by mandatory behavioural change. Examples of this are lockdowns, border closures across states and the vaccine policy being introduced. Whilst acceptance of Australia’s vaccine policy has increased statistically at least, misinformation continues to pervade people’s newsfeeds spreading fear and conspiracy-based thinking .

Some age groups and demographics are more vulnerable  to negative psychological impacts than others. These groups include high school and university students, young people who live alone, and the elderly. These are populations who may have the least amount of social support (or conversely a heavy reliance on social supports) and willingness or means to see a psychologist, important protective factors from the negative psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There has already been a surge in people attempting to access psychologists since the COVID-19 pandemic and this will no doubt continue. There needs to be an equal rise in the number of therapists to help these patients come to terms with the psychosocial changes that the world has gone through. The basic human need for emotional support and processing of feelings and thoughts is a necessary component of this. Supporting patients objectively process their decision to vaccinate and the feelings that arise around an effectively mandatory vaccination program is yet another area where psychologists can help.

"Am I Drinking Too Much?"

This question is a quandary that many of the people I meet in my private practice are faced with. Maybe your family or friends have told you that you are. Maybe you have encountered issues with the law because of your behaviour whilst drinking. Maybe your doctor has indicated it is an issue. Or maybe you are noticing the effects your alcohol use is having on your physiological/ psychological well-being.

Not surprisingly, there is no cut and dry answer that can be generalised to answer this question for all people. For each of the above possibilities however, a different set of reflections may help to guide you.

Friends & Family

In the case of family and friends telling you to change your ways, ask yourself, what is it specifically that they are wanting you to change? What effect is your drinking having on them? Is the family budget being affected, is your functional capacity at home inadequate, is it that your commitment to the family seems diminished, your behaviour, your moods? While reflecting on these, try to answer the question, how important is my drinking to me? Is it more important than my family/ my friends? There is a well known adage in AA that a person has to hit ‘rock bottom’ before they finally decide to change. Now, everybody’s ‘rock bottom’ is obviously different. For some it may be an argument with a spouse that gets out of hand, for others it might be an unending cycle of addiction that results in homelessness. There’s some significant individual variance. Whatever it is for you, it is worthwhile reflecting on.

Legal Issues

I have spent many years in various roles working with both mandated and voluntary clients who have had issues with the law because of their drug/ alcohol use. As you may know, just like the law is not a sufficient deterrent from people using drugs, it is also not sufficient to keep people out of trouble whilst drinking. Alcohol has such a deleterious effect on our brain’s decision-making capacity that the implications of the law often slip through people’s drunken consciousness without consideration. If you are having issues with the law because of drinking, does this mean you are drinking too much though? Not necessarily, though it does suggest that the way in which you are drinking may need looking at. Are you drinking and driving? Are you drinking to excess in a location which is likely to cause you trouble? Does alcohol have such an effect on you that a run in with the law is inescapable? What is your relationship with alcohol and what does alcohol bring out in you that doesn’t agree with the expectations of our society?

Your GP

The next reflection is potentially easier than the others. Just do what your doctor says, right? :o) A doctor’s assessment is directed by her experience of you and the information that you provide and so may I encourage you to always be honest with them. Secondly, they are directed by their medical knowledge. According to the NHMRC we are recommended to drink no more than 2 standard drinks on any one day to reduce long term health risks and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one drinking occasion to reduce risk of alcohol related injury. Research further supports the concept of having at least 2 days free of alcohol per given week. In reality, this is a generalised recommendation that is difficult to conceive of for many people and it will likely be revised in the future again and again as we come to better understand its direct implications on physical and psychological health. At the end of the day, alcohol is a toxin and each individual’s genetic and biological capacity to rid itself of toxins is unique. Perhaps even a reduction in your drinking by just one drink a day may have a significant positive effect on your physical health both in the short term and the long term. Chat to your GP and other treating professionals about this further.

You

Finally, perhaps you have noticed yourself that you are drinking more than you would like. Are your energy levels low during the day or you are sick of waking up foggy? Are your thoughts less clear and productive throughout the day than they used to be? Alcohol may not be solely to blame for these but it certainly may be a contributing factor. Reflect on how you use alcohol once more. Do you notice yourself using alcohol to get through challenging situations or emotions? Is it boredom, anger, thirst, tiredness, loneliness that triggers your drinking? These are important questions that you may have already considered. Once you get to know your drinking patterns, you will be in a much better position to decide whether you are drinking too much or what action you need to take, if any.

Regardless of your answers, please hold no shame along the way. Own your answers and be proud of these new insights you are gaining about yourself. If it is that you have decided you are drinking too much, take this answer with both hands and not another bottle. Reach out and do something about it. Firstly, make a commitment to change. Inform everyone of your decision to change and how you are going to be doing it. Through this step we hold ourselves accountable to everyone around us as well as us. Then take the next step. If you are interested in doing this on your own the next time you are drinking, here are a few practical recommendations to begin with;

• Set limits for yourself and stick to them (be honest with yourself)

• Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with alcoholic drinks

• Try drinks with a lower alcohol content (there are some amazing tasting mid strength beers available nowadays, or ask the bar for a half pour if you’re drinking spirits).

• Eat before or while you are drinking

• Don’t participate in every round (nobody will complain too much unless its your buy)

If you need support, reach out to a psychologist in your area specialising in this area, a drug/ alcohol treatment facility in your area or online, or a supportive friend. If none of these are available to you get in touch and I’ll do whatever I can to point you in the right direction.

Take care people

Tristan

Returning to practice soon!

I have had the most incredible past year travelling the world, learning new things, challenging myself in new ways, struggling with new internal processes. It's been great. It's been hard. This is life - always a balance of both. All cliches aside, I genuinely feel like this past year changed me as a person significantly for the better. This will no doubt roll into my professional life and I am really looking forward to this.

I'm returning to work in October 2018 at the new Lives Lived Well Specialist Centre (formerly Banjara) in Burleigh Heads. I considered a few other options but at the end of the day my heart won out with a familiar environment and an encouraging network already in the community.

I found the above quote the other day and I've rarely read something that describes me so perfectly when I am at work. My inner voice of judgment is dropped and each of my clients are 'trees' that I get to see for who they are and understand the unique set of life events that have shaped them as people. It is this paradoxically peaceful serenity from my own busy mind that I love so much about the counselling room. 

Contact for an appointment or for more information about my approach. Look forward to connecting or catching up soon. 

Tristan :)