Physical and emotional exhaustion, negativity, concentration problems . . . The so-called “fatigue crisis” is a new clinical phenomenon that occurs as a result of the current context. If you feel identified we will explain what it is and what you can do.
Crisis fatigue is a reality. In addition to being the new fashion term or the classic label circulating on social media, we are faced with a no-brainer, it is the feeling that much of the population lives in a context of uncertainty, change, pressure and fear. Exhaustion, indeterminate physical pain, apathy?
- Psychiatrists and psychologists point out that while we can’t define it as a clinical disorder right now.
- We need to take some time to see how it evolves.
- Are we clearly facing a new global situation: health crisis.
- Social crisis?Waiting for new psychological manifestations.
- In the face of these facts is understandable and even expected.
We are exposed to unpredictable, demanding and often undesirable events that make us feel overwhelmed; However, this becomes more complex when people have already had mental health problems. Let’s take a closer look.
Arianna Galligher, director of the Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Program at Ohio State University, points to something interesting: we’re used to dealing with crises, but the current situation is very different, in short: it’s a big crisis that in turn leads to multiple related crises. This kaleidoscope of challenges puts us in a present and a future that sometimes overwhelms, overloads and immobilizes us.
Crisis fatigue is defined as a phenomenon in which the mind and body try to adapt to an environmental event that disproportionately accelerates the natural response to stress, the release of adrenaline and cortisol is continuous and excessive, that is, it is not limited to a certain moment, to a specific threat against which we must defend ourselves. Reality is full of small (or large) threats, and this translates into a series of manifestations.
What we need to understand is that the signs and symptoms of this disease can vary greatly from person to person, however, we can point out some common elements. Are:
Several are the reasons for the tiredness of the crisis. The first has already been mentioned: we live in an immediate reality in which there is not only a threat or a challenge, but a myriad of uncertainties before which we can feel oppressed, and we do not know when this situation will be resolved. .
One thing we make clear in the field of psychology is that when the current situation stabilizes and (somehow) we find the necessary normality, the next step will be to flatten the mental health curve, the increase in depression and anxiety disorders will be immense.
Nor can we overlook patients with previous problems in this area: border-limiting personality disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder . . . We live a reality of great roughness and need in this area, with this all that serves us now are real and close strategies, and that community services know how to help, detect and prevent problems.
On the other hand, when it comes to crisis fatigue, the following tips should be taken into account:
Maintaining hope, developing new coping strategies to cope with stress and controlling emotions would be other basic nutrients to work on, in any case it is worth remembering that this series of reactions are quite normal, a feeling of discomfort, fear and helplessness is expected. right now.
We should not hesitate to ask for help navigating a little better in the midst of this complex reality.