It’s been called the parallel pandemic.
The social isolation, uncertainties and financial impact of COVID-19 has stressed us all, but those most vulnerable – including the elderly, the homeless and those struggling with addictions – have been hit hardest.
Most people don’t realize that up to 30% of the daily work of a family physician involves emotional health – helping patients manage difficult emotions, relationship challenges, anxiety and stress.
But I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg because many people are reluctant to bring up emotional issues and may never seek support.
There remains a stigma attached to emotional or mental health challenges. In recent years, public health agencies have tried to remove the stigma by getting people to talk about it.
But for many, just raising the awareness that you can and should talk about it to those who can help hasn’t erased the prejudice, embarrassment and myths associated with emotional health.
An unfortunate legacy of the 17th century philosopher, Rene Descartes is mind-body dualism, the incorrect separation of mind and body as completely distinct and independent.
The reality is that there is no such separation. The brain is obviously an inseparable part of the body. In fact, you can recognize many emotions by how you experience them physically.
When we are anxious or stressed, we breathe more rapidly, our hearts beat faster, our muscles tense, our stomachs turn and we sweat.
When angered, not only do our thoughts race, but so do our heart and breathing rates. We feel a surge of agitated energy throughout the body.
When depressed, we slow down physically as well as mentally, sleep is disturbed, energy dips and we may gain or lose weight from changes in appetite.
Our thoughts and emotions affect other “non-mental” aspects of our health and can contribute to high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, an overactive bladder, stomach ulcers, heartburn, chronic pain and fatigue.
Compounding the false belief of mind-body separation are myths about emotional health. Because some conditions require medication, some incorrectly conclude that emotional problems are strictly chemical (i.e. neurotransmitter) imbalances. Others incorrectly assume that all emotional health problems are genetic.
Another common misunderstanding among friends and family members of those suffering from severe clinical depression is that it is just the same as when we feel sad with a loss or other negative event. Depression can be so profound that it affects an individual’s outlook and ability to think clearly and solve problems. Those who have never experienced clinical depression may not understand why their loved one just can’t get over it or snap out of it.
Your emotional wellbeing is an important aspect of your overall health. There is much we can do individually and collectively to support the wellbeing of everyone in our community. When your mood, stress or anxiety are affecting your function and enjoyment of life, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Every community has organized supports for those struggling socially and emotionally. In Burnaby, we’re all working together through the Primary Care Network. Check the resources that are available at https://www.burnabycoronavirus.com/social-supports
On Thursday, Dec. 10, I’ll be giving a free online talk on behalf of the Burnaby Division of Family Practice’s Empowering Patients program. The topic: Emotional Wellness. I’ll be sharing key emotional health skills that we all need to manage the effects of this pandemic and community resources for help. For more information: https://divisionsbc.ca/burnaby/for-patients/empowering-patients
Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician. His Healthwise Column appears regularly in this paper. For more on emotional health and achieving your positive potential in life, read his blog at davidicuswong.wordpress.com.
