How is this pandemic treating you? Or maybe a better question is…how are you treating yourself?
Many of us are working from home, living by ourselves, or at very least not getting out and associating with friends and family all that much. All this loneliness can bring us down, having our thoughts turn negative and focusing on what we are missing. In addition, this isolation can give our demons from the past too much time to become active and top of mind again.
This can all drag us closer and closer to depression.
In fact, rates of adults in the US claiming to be struggling with depression have more than tripled in 2020 vs. prior to the pandemic (27.8% vs 8.5%).
Each person deals with depression and their own situation differently. More and more people are turning to self-harm, which is inflicting pain and damage to their own body on purpose. Self-harm can include intentional physical external injury like cutting or burning, and also inflicting internal or emotional harm like consuming excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol or putting oneself in dangerous situations.
Self-harm is often a way of escaping the situation. Pushing aside the problems. Releasing the anger, anxiety, or pressure that has been building up.
But the problems don’t go away, and can even get worse. If this is describing you, please know you are not alone. Reaching out to a friend or someone you trust to begin talking about what you are dealing with is a good starting point.
However, anyone who is suffering from self-harm needs the help of a professional. Having a conversation with a therapist who has experience dealing with self-harm can help identify the root causes and stop problems from continuing or reoccurring.
If you know of someone who is intentionally hurting themselves, please don’t be silent. Reach out to them in a loving and understanding manner, or alert someone close to them. It could save them from long-term harm or even save their life.
If you need a professional to ask questions and talk to – whether for you or a friend – please reach out. That is exactly why we are here at Tranquility Holistic Health & Wellness. Call 234-466-6274 or head over to the contact page and fill out the form to send an email or schedule an appointment.