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Anxiety

The winter of our discontent

Dr. Paul | January 05, 2021 |
 

“Maria” is an 82-year-old widow, living alone in an apartment, struggling through the pandemic. Her daughter lives in the Midwest. She’s been managing, trying to keep her head above water by attending Zoom church services, on-line classes, reading, and talking with friends and family with Facetime. Then, her neighbor came down with COVID-19 and suddenly, Maria was terrified. What would she do if she got sick? Who would take care of her dog? What if she needed to be hospitalized? 

With winter setting in and infection rates surging, many of us are experiencing more anxiety and... Read More

Pandemic fatigue

Dr. Paul | November 02, 2020 |
 

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the coronavirus, the pandemic, and all the public health measures that have made my life smaller since March. I miss having dinner with my friends. I miss my daughters and their families. I miss travel. I miss schmoozing with colleagues at my office. I miss going to work. I miss going to the opera and the ballet. I miss not worrying about getting sick or making someone else sick. I miss having lunch every week with my good friend. I miss seeing the faces of passersby, shop keepers, and fellow walkers. I even miss business travel.

I read about... Read More

Cultivating inner peace

Dr. Paul | September 28, 2020 |
 

In late June this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) commissioned a survey of 5,412 adults regarding their mental health concerns. Compared to similar surveys conducted in 2019, they found three times the prevalence of anxiety disorders and four times the number of individuals with depressive disorders. This is consistent with my experience as a psychologist —the phones at our behavioral health office at The Everett Clinic, part of OptumCare, are ringing off the hook.

According to the CDC survey, young adults are among the groups that are experiencing the highest degree of... Read More

Are you an over thinker?

Dr. Paul | August 24, 2020 |
 

In this time of COVID, families are making difficult decisions, often without much guidance from the experts. My daughter struggled for weeks trying to decide whether to send her 3-year-old to day camp. She’s a researcher at heart and read every newspaper and internet article on the web. School administrators and government officials also grapple with making important community decisions without clear guidelines. These are challenging times.

Yet, it’s not uncommon for adults to face a decision without any guarantees. Should I look for a new job? Should we move to a new neighborhood... Read More

Addressing anxiety as restrictions ease

Dr. Paul | June 17, 2020 |
 

As we start to slowly and methodically ease restrictions, many of us find ourselves experiencing greater anxiety. During this time, it’s important to keep ourselves well informed and practice methods to help reduce the stress and worry that can come with more freedom during COVID-19.

Q: I’m confused. Now that our state is starting to ease restrictions, I feel more anxious. Yet I see many others who act like there’s no threat at all. What gives?

Coronavirus has given us a global rollercoaster ride. While scientists are working day and night to develop an effective vaccine,... Read More

Managing sustained stress

Dr. Paul | April 28, 2020 |
 

The last few months adjusting to the “new normal” caused by this pandemic can seem like an eternity. Our bodies and minds have been under sustained stress that can impact our health and relationships. This week we examine the best ways to recognize and address sustained stress to prevent it from consuming our daily lives.

Q: As time wears on, I find myself feeling physically drained, even though I’m less active than usual. I thought I should be adjusted to this “new normal” by now. What’s wrong with me?

I woke up the other day and the muscles in my neck were all knotted. I... Read More

Helping families cope with a pandemic

Dr. Paul | April 07, 2020 |
 

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all areas of our lives and presenting new challenges for families everywhere. School cancellations, orders to stay home, and working remotely are forcing everyone to quickly adapt to the “new normal.” It’s important we address family issues and challenges, including stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic. Let’s look at ways to help families get through these trying times.

Q: My teenage daughter, Sarah, has shut herself in her room most of the day. I’m really worried about her. What should I do?

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the lives... Read More

Ask Dr. Paul: Dealing with fears over COVID-19

Dr. Paul | March 31, 2020 |
 

Over the last few weeks, our daily lives have been drastically disrupted. The routines, stress relivers, and human interactions we’ve become accustomed to have given way to social distancing. On top of acclimating to this new way of life, there is widespread uncertainty and concern over our health and well-being. This makes it easy for feelings of stress, worry, and anxiety to overcome us. In this week’s column, I decided to address common COVID-19 fears and the best ways to cope.

Q: I find myself consumed with worry about COVID-19. I worry about myself, my family, and my friends.... Read More

Ask Dr. Paul: Tips for a troubled time

Dr. Paul | March 26, 2020 |
 

We are living in a challenging time of uncertainty. With so many unknowns, it’s common to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. There are also many unanswered questions on coping with problems at home related to the pandemic. To help address these problems, here are some answers to common questions arising during this troubled time.

Q: I’m really worried about my 3-year-old daughter, Sarah. She seems to be bouncing off the walls. What can I do to help her?

Young children are emotional sponges. They absorb what their parents and older siblings feel. With COVID-19, social... Read More

Coping with the stress of the COVID-19 outbreak

Dr. Paul | March 12, 2020 |
 

I was at the supermarket this weekend and noticed that the store was filled with more shoppers and that many of the shelves were empty. I could feel the tension in the air, as people were preparing for the worst. Anxiety and fear can spread even more quickly than an infectious disease.

It’s completely normal to experience increased stress during an infectious disease outbreak. Listening to the news, reading the newspaper, and noticing how the world around you is reacting will likely intensify normal apprehension. Our brains have a strong bias towards perceiving potential threat. We... Read More

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