The Sources: Get Your Questions Answered

THE SOURCE

The Source is a place for Palm Beach County residents and experts to connect and exchange information.

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I want to know how to handle post-traumatic stress after Covid worries go away.

-M.P., Boynton Beach.

So, the definition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is having intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings after a trauma. Trauma is generally defined as actual or threatened death or injury. We all faced a threat and fear of dying when first hearing about Covid. Covid trauma can affect people in many ways, but I would focus on a few symptoms we see in trauma, specifically the avoidance symptoms. It is very tempting to avoid situations for fear of Covid, and I would encourage you not to do so. The more you avoid it, the stronger that urge can get. It is the same as “getting back up on that horse.” The other symptoms are cognitive symptoms from Covid, meaning the negative thoughts (cognitions) you are attaching to the experience. As with any new behavior, the more you practice the negative thought in your head, the more ingrained and automatic it will be. Rooting out the negative cognitions and meaning you have developed on the way is crucial. The brain has a bad tendency to attach negative meanings to situations first, which aided our early survival.

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It was to prepare us for dangers in the environment. So try to catch yourself in the negative meanings and reframe to the positive. -Karen Severson, M.D. *Note from the publisher: PTSD is a professional diagnosis and requires a licensed clinician to make the diagnosis.

​Without a shadow of a doubt, this pandemic has impacted us in ways we never imagined. The impact of Covid-19 will be the determining factor in how we live moving forward. The normal we once knew no longer exists, therefore experiencing PTSD after Covid-19 is expected, and having the available resources is imperative in the process. Therapy, self-care regimens, utilizing health coping strategies are all tools that can assist with overcoming post-traumatic stress associated with the health crisis we are currently experiencing. Adaptation is an essential factor in overcoming PTSD. Understanding and accepting the times we live in and not holding on to the life we once knew is crucial to healing and embracing this new normal. -Venise St. Hilaire

The levels of depression and other mental health aspects seem very high for teenagers in

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today’s society. So, what can we do to support and help overcome some of this? -A.C., Jupiter

Mental health issues in teens, particularly depression and anxiety, has risen dramatically in the wave and wake of Covid, civil rights, political unrest, and so much more. It is important as parents, family, friends, and colleagues to start with empathy. Provide an unbiased, non-judgmental ear for your loved ones, and offer authentic validation and support to them in moments of crisis, but also in times of calm. Don’t try to figure it out for them. Don’t try to sweep it away and call it a phase they are going through. Be there, be present, be kind, be empathetic. - Jimmy Glenos

In my current practice in emergency rooms, I see young children growing up too quickly due to access to the internet on YouTube and Tik Tok, etc. I think you can help by continuously monitoring content and explaining to them what they are seeing. We can explain to them how the world actually functions versus the internet version, specifically regarding sexual identity and relationships in general. There is also online bullying

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THE SOURCE

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which is very disturbing. Secondly, teens need to practice the language of emotions. They fear being open about negative emotions, particularly with parents, for fear of being a burden or shame. They need to be given opportunities to practice and role modeling on by adults to use the words such as guilt, shame, fear, anger. The positive emotions are obviously easier. Emotional expression is very much lacking in teens I have seen, and if they are good at it, they are afraid to tell others. Take your kids on solo dates to get in some practice! -Karen Severson, M.D.

My concern is that [mental health] is becoming a “popular thing” and everyone is trying to profit somehow, and everyone seems to have a mental health issue (like you can’t be normal anymore, if that makes sense). What is your perception of the popularization of mental health or having a mental health diagnosis? -M.A., Boynton Beach

It is easy to see this “popular thing” of mental health support as predatory marketing and profits. The ubiquity of stories, symptoms, and solutions on the internet has skyrocketed in recent months. And they can be a contributing factor to the continued rise in self-diagnosis among teenagers and young adults. While it may all seem “popular” and unsettling, it is critical to acknowledge that young people will always seek means to figure out what they are thinking, feeling, and experiencing. And we as allies, parents, and friends must listen first, then support to thrive. - Jimmy Glenos

People are definitely trying to make a profit from mental health care as in all areas of life. Now that we have telepsychiatry, there are even more ways to profit. I think people need to make money as a career, but there are always excesses. I am thinking when you use the word “normal”, that you mean you are not seriously depressed or anxious but have a life stressor you need help in overcoming

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as normal is a relative term. There are plenty of great therapists for those issues. There is, however, a large amount of unaddressed mental suffering from biological illnesses like depression, schizophrenia, etc. Many are lucky to be able to afford help. There are also diagnoses being taken advantage of for-profit, such as the sites for attention deficit disorder and getting people prescribed stimulants, many cash pay. These sites tend to minimize the complexity of mental health issues and provide quick fixes that do not exist. I think consumers can tell who are the “pill pushers” and who are the providers who are committed to teaching coping skills and teaching emotional expression— the medical system as it now encourages profiteering as it exists now. Sadly, the ones whose depression causes them not to have jobs with benefits are the ones who are left at the wayside. -Karen Severson, M.D.

In my opinion, the popularization of mental health is a good thing and is encouraged. For many years seeking mental health treatment was frowned upon and stigmatized. We live in crucial times, and mental health awareness is key for moving forward. I believe everyone has experienced some challenges with their mental health at some point in their lives. However, not every concern necessarily leads to a diagnosis. People are becoming more accepting of receiving a mental health diagnosis because they are more aware and educated about various treatment modalities and options. Even though there is more relating to mental health, there continues to be a discrepancy with the accessibility of mental health resources among people of lower socio-economic class. There is still a lot of work to ensure that everyone has access to mental health treatment and services. - Venise St. Hilaire

Dr. Karen Severson, Karen Severson, M.D., has been an Adult, Geriatric, and Addiction psychiatrist specialist for 25 years. She enjoys raising awareness of mental health issues in an optimistic yet realistic manner. Follow Dr. Severson on Facebook!

Jimmy Glenos Jimmy Glenos is a Mental Fitness Coach who supports young adults, professionals, and executives in their journey to rise to their full potential in school, at work, and in life. He also volunteers with Crisis Text Line supporting people in times of crisis or when they just need a warm shoulder to lean on. www.jimmyglenos.com

Venise St. Hilaire Venise St. Hilaire is a therapist with the Youth Services Department of Palm Beach County. She is also a former Special Education Teacher with the School District of Palm Beach County. Her passion is to educate, inspire, and motivate people to function to their maximum potential.

The information presented is for the purpose of educating people. Nothing contained in this publication should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Should you have any health care related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified healthcare provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this publication.

The Source asks YOUR questions to 3 experts: one professional, one community expert (i.e. spiritual leader), and one with lived experience. To ask a question, or to contribute as an expert, email thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Source” in the subject line.

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