The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge part of our lives for nearly two years. It’s impacted people in different ways. Some have experienced illness and personal losses. Others have had to modify their careers or lifestyles.
No matter how the pandemic has affected you, there’s one thing that almost everyone can agree on: We’ve been in a state of uncertainty for far too long.
Almost every day it can seem like new information is available, new guidelines are in place, or new restrictions are popping up.
That can cause your brain to be in a “flux” state. So much so, that many people are experiencing Pandemic Flux Syndrome.
What is Pandemic Flux Syndrome?
Pandemic Flux Syndrome refers to the sort of “waxing and waning” we’ve all gone through during this phase of the pandemic.
We’ve gone from “two weeks to flatten the curve” to being under lockdown. We’ve introduced a vaccine that was supposed to get us back to normal, only to experience breakthrough cases now. Worst of all, new variants of the virus have made the road to normal a much longer one.
While there have been moments of hope throughout the pandemic, they never seem to last long, leaving us all in a state of flux.
If you have Pandemic Flux Syndrome, you might be having a hard time dealing with all of those changes. It can feel like an emotional whiplash that leaves you confused, depressed, and even anxious.
Why It’s Important to Talk About
If you think you’ll be able to get through it and live in a state of uncertainty for the remainder of the pandemic, you might want to think again.
The reality is, there probably won’t be a clear end to the pandemic. There isn’t going to be one final day where it’s declared completely gone from society.
So, it’s important to find ways to cope with these changes now. Doing so will allow you to keep moving forward so you won’t feel paralyzed by this state of flux in the future.
What Are the Signs?
Being tired of the pandemic and wanting things to go back to normal aren’t signs of Pandemic Flux Syndrome. Almost everyone wants things to return to the way they were. But, those with this syndrome often have a much harder time coping. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Increased sadness
- Increased anxiety
- The desire to make a major change in your life
- Exhaustion
Conditions like anxiety and depression often occur due to uncertainties in your life. Whether you were dealing with them before, or you only started to experience them during the pandemic, they can completely take over your thought process and change the way you live your life if you don’t choose to fight back.
One of the best ways to treat a mental health condition is by discovering the root cause(s). While you can mask the symptoms for a little while, until you deal with the underlying fuel for your feelings, you won’t be able to work through your struggles fully.
How to Cope with Pandemic Flux Syndrome
So, how can you cope? How can you get to the root of this flux so you can start to live your life with a greater sense of peace?
A mental health professional can help. By working with a therapist, you can uncover what you’re truly worried about, or fear, as a result of this pandemic.
Contact Integrative Psychotherapy Group if you’re struggling or worried you might be dealing with Pandemic Flux Syndrome. Together, we’ll work through some of the most common symptoms and you can learn healthy coping skills that can bring you back to a sense of comfort and security, even when the world seems so uncertain.