WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- With each New Year comes goals, expectations, and hopes. This year is no different though after 2020, these will likely look much different than in years past. There have been many challenges over the past two years. Wright -Patterson Air Force Base and surrounding communities aren’t exempt.
There is a great deal of information on how to cope during the pandemic. Consistent and persistent messages reinforce our cognition and response to situations. What we are experiencing now is something like never before and has affected us all whether personally, through a friend, family, colleague, work, or from daily contact with information and others.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is often associated with veterans, military and survivors of trauma or abuse. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is a mental health condition that anyone who has experienced a real or perceived threat, shocking, scary, dangerous or traumatic event(s).
COVID-19 definitely qualifies for this. Regardless of personal opinions, personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental adaptations have drawn our attention to the pandemic on a daily basis. Some symptoms of PTSD can be nightmares, irritability, hyper-alert, difficulty sleeping and concentrating (brain fog), negative thoughts/feelings, to name a few. Feelings of detachment and isolation add to this.
Military personnel can be particularly impacted in this regard. Those deployed face quarantines here and then when they arrive at their next station.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and mental health professionals note that feelings of anxiety and depression range from mild to severe symptoms. Isolation, stress, economic strain, lack of resources or connection to, fear of exposure, uncertainties can exacerbate existing conditions. Relationships with couples along with parents and their children can be strained as many are confined together: working from home, experiencing loss of employment, and home schooling.
Adequate support to maintain good psychological health is crucial at this time more than ever. We have a new normal which will likely look different yet again by the time this subsides. Fortunately, we are in an age of technology which can be of benefit.
There are things that we can do to manage our circumstances. It is somewhat of a balancing act in regards to what works for and against us. It’s important to find as many positives that can offset the negatives. They include: exercise to boost immune system and curtail weight gain; keep a routine to create predictability in uncertain situations; eat healthy, occasional ‘cheats’ are okay, just don’t make it the basis of your diet; set regular sleep times, meditation/breathing exercise, reduce duration of naps, avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking prior to bedtime; limit intake of alcohol, tobacco, and substances; keep well checks, screenings as part of self-care; make time to unwind (time free of distraction); make time for doing things you enjoy; connect with others; and use PPEs and virtual means to keep everyone safe.
COVID-19 has created adversity. We wear masks, we are to give six feet of space, avoid social gatherings, no longer going out due to many businesses reducing hours or closing all together, events cancelled, to name some of the changes. Some people are social while others do well with reduced contact from others. Whatever your style, self-awareness is important. If you feel that you need some assistance, please reach out to support systems. If you need additional support or desire someone to talk with, or just not sure who to call, please call me at 937-257-6267 or 937-701-1124 (cell). Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. I am located in building 4014, Room 182.
I look forward to meeting you and being of service to you as I begin in the role of your Director of Psychological Health.