I have written about this issue before but, given the stress of the coronavirus pandemic, I think this question deserves another look because just about every case evaluation I see contains allegations of some mental health concern.
I suspect we will be dealing with the repercussions of Covid-19 for years. In Atlanta, where I live, it seems that every night we see news stories of road rage shootings and other violent crimes.
Entire sectors of the economy have been devastated, causing upheavals in the job markets. How many restaurants have closed over the past year? How many men and women in the hospitality, tourism or travel industries are out of work? And for those who remained employed, many had to adjust to working from home while balancing child care and school-from-home obligations.
It is certainly no wonder that daily stress – whether financial, interpersonal or otherwise – has resulted in more cases of clinical depression and anxiety disorders. Hardworking men and women who might have been struggling with depression or social anxiety but was “getting by” now find the pressure of adapting to a post-pandemic world simply too much.
Here is some of what I see from potential clients in case evaluation requests:
“I cannot physically, mentally and at times emotionally work more than a few hours a week. I have noise intolerance with voices, music, and sounds, especially higher pitches. I have to wear noise cancelling ear phones and they don’t fully help. I cry at times from overstimulation which could be even from thinking, planning or riding in a vehicle. I cannot drive.”
“I have severe depression and anxiety and I can no longer focus on my work. And I had suicidal thoughts I am writing this right now it is 4:35 in the morning. I don’t sleep and I am taking antidepressants like mirtazapine 45 mg and am always sleepy and tired.” Continue reading →
