Treating Fear, Anxiety, and Panic During Times of High Stress, Like Natural Disasters or the Pandemic
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to aiding our patients during and after times of crisis, such as the pandemic and natural disasters. All of our treatment centers treat co-occurring mental health disorders in addition to substance use disorder. Oftentimes, one cannot begin to conquer addiction if they are struggling with anxiety or depression. While stressful times can worsen fear, anxiety, and panic, AAC is committed to helping our patients cope with these stressors in a healthy way while in treatment.
Holistic Mental Healthcare for Our Patients
AAC has long prided itself on its ability to treat co-occurring mental health disorders in addition to substance use disorder. One of the lessons we’ve learned is that it’s perfectly normal to feel stressed and anxious. This is especially true during stressful events, such as the pandemic and natural disasters.
One of the best things for patients is to maintain a normal routine. This occurs by limiting the amount of time spent fretting about news articles or scanning social media sites for updates. Instead, AAC encourages patients to stick to their regular treatment routine. Treatment schedules remain largely unchanged to keep focus on addressing one’s struggles with addiction and mental health conditions and developing new healthy coping mechanisms.
AAC also understands that sometimes people need a break. That’s why AAC allows for greater time for patients to connect with family and friends outside the facility. AAC also encourages more activities that foster laughter, fun, and a positive outlook.
Equipping the Staff
While stressful situations can be overwhelming for patients, they can be even more stressful for healthcare providers. AAC makes sure to connect with staff members to also help them get through troubling times. Similar to the suggestions made to patients during times of natural disasters or other troubling events, AAC encourages staff to limit their consumption of news and social media posts and to take the time to care for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
In terms of keeping up appearances around patients, AAC staff use honesty and positivity. Smiling can be one of the most effective mood elevators. Keeping contact with positive people is another way AAC encourages staff to care for their mental health.
Best Practices for Daily Life
Everybody may experience fear, anxiety, and panic during natural disasters and other troubling events. For lots of Americans, situations such as wildfires, hurricanes, or a pandemic may be unfamiliar crises. Luckily, there are several ways to practice self-care and maintain your mental health, even while not in a treatment program. It can be a complex practice, like identifying your triggers or circumventing conversations about the situation. Or your self-care routine could involve simple practices, like making sure you get enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Best Practices for Self-Care
Some of the best self-care practices that can benefit your mental health include:
Sleeping.- Exercising.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Staying hydrated.
- Unplugging.
- Focusing on things you can control.
- Keeping daily routines.
- Eliminating negativity.
- Avoiding complete isolation.
- Finding different conversation topics.
- Identifying your triggers.
- Practicing spirituality.
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More on Mental Health Disorders
In order to overcome a stressful situation, everybody is going to have to pitch in. AAC is ready to do its part. It’s because of our experience with co-occurring mental health disorders that we’re able to assuage fears so effectively. If you are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, know that there is help out there. Even in the face of a natural disaster or other stressful event, you can start your journey to recovery at one of AAC’s addiction treatment centers.
Additionally, AAC operates a primary mental health program (PMH) called A Center for Healing & Wellness on the River Oaks Treatment Center campus for those struggling with significant psychiatric symptoms that impair functioning and are independent of any substance use. This inpatient program provides evidence-based treatment for a range of common mental health disorders, including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and helps you optimize your day-to-day functioning and prevent future mental health crises.
Call to speak to a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator, who can listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you find a path forward that makes sense for you.
