The coronavirus pandemic has caused fear, grief and uncertainty — made even worse by the need to maintain distance from one another and the growing economic crash. As the director of a group psychotherapy practice serving Alexandria, Arlington and the Washington area, I tell my clients that it’s normal to feel stressed, irritable and anxious. But for those dealing with unfamiliar emotions, it’s hard to know how much anxiety is too much.
You should consider professional help if you feel constant anxiety, anger or tension; if you can’t relax or stop worrying; if you’re experiencing panic attacks; or if you’re having difficulty with concentration, sleep or accomplishing anything.
If you don’t feel like you have any enjoyment or feel like you’re tired and depressed nearly always, that might signal clinical depression.
Therapy provides the confidential opportunity to talk to a professional about your issues and what you’d like to get help with. The best therapists establish a compassionate, collaborative and authentic relationship with clients.
Medications also can help – with therapy or without it. “There are both short-term and longer-term pharmacological solutions that can be beneficial for adults and children,” said psychiatrist Leslie Rokoske, at Washington’s Veritas Health. Rokoske has seen an uptick in people seeking help with depression and anxiety disorders.
Potential clients contacting me and my fellow therapists are seeking advice on how to decide whether they need professional help, and I’m often asked what kind of help is appropriate and where to get it. Here is some guidance.