Life Cycles

This historic time has been difficult for some of us. Becoming versed in the definitions of pandemic, quarantine, isolation and social-distancing, our collective experience with COVID-19 has offered an opportunity for us to discover much inner strength and some of our weaknesses. We’re generally aware of those among us who are more medically fragile. However, we might’ve not been aware, until social distancing, who among us are emotionally fragile. Perhaps we didn’t know our own fragility. During these last few weeks, maybe we’ve seen an increase in problems with our sleeping patterns. Sleeping more than usual or not being able to sleep well enough are symptoms of possible anxiety and or depression. We know many of the symptoms: weight gain or loss, headaches, stomachaches, loose or slow bowels, chronic pain (backaches, etc.). Maybe we’re experiencing flaring tempers or increase in obsessive or compulsive behaviors. In other circumstances, something like compulsive handwashing might be a symptom something is out of balance, emotionally. Recently, the compulsive hand-washers among us have become the trend-setters, ahead of the curve. We’re all encouraged to follow their example. Of late, we all have good reason to feel somewhat off balance. If we have what seems like a constant, nagging worry that something bad might happen (as could be one of the symptoms of anxiety or depression), it is with cause. We need to give ourselves a little bit of a pass, as we adjust to this temporary new normal. Big change is hard and we’ve very quickly had to make big changes. Allow for a little growing pain as we move through this. It will pass. One of the things we do when we’re depressed is ‘ruminate.’ Ruminations (or deep thoughts, often about what’s so depressing), are highly analytical. We can generally come up with every reason to justify why we feel the way we do. Most of the time, well-meaning friends (and others), try to help us out of our depression with encouragement like my statement above: “It will pass.” Some scientists suggest we should “…Encourage depressive rumination rather than try to stop it…” (Paul W. Andrews, PhD and J. Anderson Thomson Jr., M.D.; “Depression’s Evolutionary Roots” 2009, italics added). I tend to agree. Many researchers have come to find anxiety and depression are normal parts of the human experience, and rather than trying to fix the ‘mental illness,’ we would do better to change the condition that is causing the ‘illness.’ Having said that, if you’re uptight, I encourage you to ruminate, then write. When this passes (and it will), you’ll be surprised at the insights gained during this historic moment in time. Things will get back to normal. Wait and see. Be well.