For many clients, the COVID-19 virus has ignited the flames of anxiety. And for those who already struggle with anxiety it’s pouring fuel on the fire.
Problem is, many of our go-to strategies for reducing anxiety can’t always be practiced in quarantine or isolation.
So how can we help clients manage anxious feelings brought on by the pandemic?
The other day, I spoke with Christine Padesky, PhD, and Ron Siegel, PsyD, and they shared their techniques for finding relief from anxiety during these difficult times.
I hope you’ll give it a look.
Many clients are feeling anxious right now. What are you finding most helpful for clients experiencing COVID-19 related anxiety? What are you finding most challenging about client work during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please let us know by leaving a comment below.
Addressing Anxiety with clients.
Encourage:
Be engaged in the here and now rather than drawing on our ‘special’, unique avoidant activities
Be engaged in nature.
Limit the time you spend inquiring into the Covid situation.
We should understand the situation so we can share information. But not get caught up in endless conversations about it.
The “Window of Tolerance”: Tolerance for ‘uncertainty’.
Uncertainty and anxiety are closely linked – that is sort of obvious. But it probably requires a complex conversation with clients.
Regarding Nature. I think that nature is helpful because it is simply constantly changing and moving in quite random ways – for people who are used to containing their experiences there a ways of being in nature that is both contained and changing – safe and expansive.
We need to ask:
How could I use this time to make this time better? to make it an opportunity?
[like doing some Continuing Professional Development :)]
I am a patient with extremely bad anxiety disorder and bipolar depression. Since I started home isolating, my anxiety sky rocketed and I thought I was going to need medical help. But then I remembered the skills I’ve learned, and started to practice them. Someone mentioned to me that we will need to find “our new normal” which reminded me that a lot of the structure I have built into my life can’t be upheld. I needed to create new structure.
Things that have helped:
1. I asked a friend to keep me informed on anything important and reduced time on the news.
2. I look for humorous things to make me laugh.
3.I set up reading to my grandsons over the internet every day.
4. I set up listening to one of my grand daughters read to me over the internet every day.
5. I got a medical appointment with my doctor on the phone and talked over me fears.
6.I signed up for a free on line course.
7. I am trying to get some fresh air and exercise every day.
Where I am really struggling is in my eating addictive behaviour: I’m using food again and gaining weight.
Thank you expect appreciated the counter transference piece
Very comforting information. An opportunity being presented to be present to the self and observe how this pandemic is affecting me on a personal level.
Making a choice to use a healthier path by limiting the amount of chaos being introduced into my daily life through the news media. Bringing attention to tending the inner self.
Thank you.
For me it is about keeping my finger on the pulse of my own life, how am I feeling when I get up in the morning, is there anything I need to do to ensure that I am on track with what is going on in this crazy world.
Realising that I can ration my own toilet paper, can wash off in the shower if it runs out…we are no longer under water restrictions here in NSW.
Today I bought a bike so that I can keep my cardio levels active, walking not quite enough to boost those lungs. Wonder what will come up tomorrow that demands my attention! Dark Chocolate no. 1 thanks to Easter approaching.
Tomorrow morning is new awakening to something else that I might have missed.
I found this very reasuring,thank you.
Radical Acceptance and using mindfulness to stay away from fortune telling are very helpful.
I would not recommend therapists to engage in a discussion of “facts” about COVID-19. Too many of us think they know, but don’t. Please, let’s stay within our realm of expertise: acknowledge the uncertainty of the situation and support our clients with the accompanying anxiety. Other than that this was very useful. Thank you.
This was great for middle and upper middle class folks. What about those who have no stocks, no resources for a back up plan, no safety net at all?
very useful information thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your practical suggestions to reduce anxiety. It´s so important to share it with my patients¡
Good info. Thanks
Thanks, very helpful!
Joan Aldis, London ON
Great comments from all 3 of you. Much appreciated & thanks for reaching out to give support. Be well, & yes, this will be over. Prayer for patience helps me more than anything, esp since I don’t like waiting, & reaching out to others with love is comforting as well. Thanks for your reaching out to do this.
Thanks so much 😊, this was really helpful..
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS VIDEOS IS VERY HELPFULL TO KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY THERAPIST THINKING THIS IS TERRIBLE
I think that these comments are great
Thank you so very much for all of these videos on uncertainty and anxiety during these difficult tImes. I just had a session with a an incredible hospital worker. I shared these with her along with what Dr. McGonagal (I hope I spelled that right!) shared last week and it really resonated with her. And as a hospital employee, she Particularly liked “I alone did not cause this and I alone cannot cure it”. She was having a very hard time (and she brought tears to my eyes— her stories about the extreme seriousness of this virus). I thank you all for these resources as we try to support our clients and those who are on the frontlines.
Good morning and thank you for the video. I a not a psychologist, however I am a supervisor of an engineering department. I believe you are all spot on with your assessments that recognizing when the ‘what if’ take hold and refocusing that energy to a ‘what then’ contingency plan is a path to self encouragement due to being able to plan and know what you will do during a specific trigger. It helps myself and colleagues to feel somewhat in control if only of ourselves in these very uncertain times. This also allows us the opportunities to be examples to our friends and family of how to cope with these uncertain times. Simply asking ourself ‘so what is the plan here…?’ Refocuses our mind out of the fight or flight to a proactive action plan. Thank you again for the videos they have all been an amazing contribution to my professional development.
It feels so containing to have NICABM as a support system.
Thank you
Thank you Ruth, Christine and Ron. Obviously all our clients are dealing with anxiety at present and you provided some encouragement that we can make a difference!
Very great point, Ron, about how we all have our ow associations, for instance, to being and feeling alone. This is an important road to travel with ourselves and others.
Thank you. It was great. It is so important to share in that emerging field of how to be with our experience during the pandemic.
Thank you for your suggestions to share with clients to reduce anxiety and fear of the unknown. Being present to those around us (with social distancing in mind) who bring positive energy and calmness can be helpful.
It is so good to hear three voices talk both beautifully common sense around the media and boundaries within the theraputic relation.
coming from Christchurch New zealand the need to limit T.v coverage around cov19 is so important especially for parents with young children.
Thank you
Thank you for these practical tips
What about those who are in parts of the world that experience low winter temperatures? What would you suggest since it’s not realistic for those people to sit outside and enjoy nature as much as others without winter?
I grew up in a very loud violent family. I wanted to get away from my home each day from the time I can remember. I have been able to shelter in place without feeling anxious but feeling like I am in a gentle place. Yesterday had that ahha moment that said this is your first time in this sense of home is safe and fine. More or less that unfinished business that is getting to play out in this crisis. Amazed me pretty much because I am in the age range most vulnerable. But grateful for this experience of how it must feel to be a child in a safe and calm world-small but fine.
Thank you so much these wonderful, insightful posts. You and your collegues help me find perspective and educate me on a regular basis!