Americans could suffer a second wave of anxiety called 'adjustment disorder' as states reopen, warn experts
Americans did not have enough time to recover from the first wave of anxiety due to stay-at-home orders amid pandemic but a second wave is already here, warn psychologists. They are calling it "phase two adjustment disorder". Adjustment disorder stems from high-stress levels triggered by a sudden change such as loss of work or a divorce. According to Mayo Clinic, the condition can cause significant problems in relationships, at work or in school. "Being thrust into — or out of — a lockdown situation fits the bill too," Dr Mimi Winsberg, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer at the mental health telemedicine service Brightside, told Insider.
Americans faced phase one adjustment disorder when the pandemic forced people to stay-at-home. That brought in significant changes in people's lives. Some lost their jobs or suffered income losses. Others had to balance work and childcare. Recently, the Census Bureau said more than 30% of Americans are experiencing signs of anxiety and depression amid pandemic lockdown. At the start, the quarantine was hard for a lot of people – we felt frustrated, angry and empty. But slowly, we found a new, more personal routine, Laura Guaglio, psychologist and psychotherapist, told Vice.
Now, as states come back to life and "we return to work with a new landscape and new perceived risks, we are having to adjust all over again", Winsberg explained. The prospect of returning to an office or using public transportation, putting their kids back in childcare, could trigger stress, she added. Not to mention, people are also fearful of catching and spreading the new coronavirus. A recent poll found that about 75% of Americans fear the second wave of new coronavirus infections. The findings of the survey suggested that the government's push for reopening states does not reflect public opinion.
Additionally, there is a lot of uncertainty in the Covid-19 era, which is leading to more stress. It could be due to unclear protocols on how offices plan to open up while minimizing risks or determining which activists are risk-free or when the pandemic will grind to a halt. One Chicago resident who works at a tech company named Mallory Bradford told Insider that she is distressed about how and when will she be able to take a train, hug her parents or meet friends for a drink without feeling on edge.
"In general, it's very common to have anxiety or difficulties leaving the house at the moment. Most people will find this less intense once they get back to a routine. Others, especially those who've experienced the virus, could have flashbacks, nightmares, or feel like they're reliving the traumatic event. Everyday occurrences might trigger extreme reactions. That’s what we call post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD; if you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek help," Guaglio told Vice.
Though humans are good at adapting, depression and anxiety can take over during the transition in some cases. Adjustment disorder is just the tip of the iceberg, said Winsberg. She added that Americans should seek professional help to assess the severity of their symptoms. Social isolation can do more harm than good and recommended that people can instead, adapt slowly, taking things one day at a time. Obsessing over an uncertain future does not help either. "Have compassion for yourself that these are difficult times, we are all doing the best we can in a given moment. Trust that we will adapt as mother nature has programmed us to do," Weinberg said.