The theme this week in both the Practice and personally in my conversations with friends and family has been emotional flatlining*, exhaustion, and lack of desire to engage in previously fun, social activities.
As we seem to be rounding another corner in this long-winded Pandemic, there appears to be a growing apathy, or helplessness around the notion that it may never end. This is a common side effect of on-going trauma**. Due to the long lasting physical and emotional toll COVID-19 is taking on people, and the “fear that the world is a dangerous place”, it qualifies as a global trauma.*** Experiencing negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, irritability, relational problems are all symptoms of P.T.S.D.***
The “Tree House Recovery Project,” right here in Portland, OR, describes “Anhedonia, or flatlining as the inability to feel joy.” “People suffering from anhedonia feel numb, hopeless, empty, or blank, which leaves them vulnerable either to relapse or other self-harming actions as a way to feel better.”*. My own experience as a licensed clinician, has been observing an up-tick in compulsive behaviors as a way of coping with anxiety and or depression. I have noticed an increase in exhaustion and lack of joy. A family member commented earlier today, “I know I can go out with friends now that we have the vaccine, but I just don’t feel like it. It feels like too much energy to make it happen.”
How can we cope with these negative feelings and bring joy back into our lives? The article listed below by the Tree House Recovery Project has a marvelous list of self-care options and descriptions about how they work to increase the dopamine levels in your brain. Their focus is addiction, but recovering from trauma has a similar effect on dopamine levels in the brain.****
If you or someone close to you is “feeling flat,” try counter-acting the negative effects by implementing a practice of dopamine increasing suggestions from Tree House Recovery PDX:
Aerobic Activity
Strength Training
Nutrition
Meditation
Meaningful Social Interactions with People
Talk Therapy
Disclaimer:
Neither the publisher nor the author are engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions continued in this blog are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a licensed mental health and or child development advisor. All matters regarding the health and development of your child require professional supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestions in this blog.
*Tree House Recovery PDX: Sustainable Addition Recovery. “Emotional Flatlining: How to Deal With Anhedonia.” https:// www.treehouserecoverypdx.com
**Carlson, Eve B. And Ruzek, Josef, Ph.D. “Effects of Traumatic Experiences: A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet”. https:// www//mirecc.va.gov
*** Campbell, Leah. “The World is Experiencing Mass Trauma from COVID-19: What You Can Do”. September 8, 2020. https:// www.healthline.com
**Plumptre, Elizabeth. “The Most Common Symptoms of Low Dopamine”. Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN on April 25th, 2021. https:// www.verywellmind.com