The Toll of Caution Fatigue Amidst Ongoing Viral Outbreaks

"The COVID-19 virus is one of the top 10 things people are worried about worldwide.1

And recent new concerns like monkeypox, polio in wastewater, tomato flu, and even new strains of the coronavirus, are causing more alarm. As the numbers for one virus start decreasing, there always seems to be another viral invasion ready to take its place. “It is important to assess risks and reality as we hear about new threats. While there is plenty of misinformation to muddy the waters, if we only look for data to confirm how we want things to be, we likely won’t fully appreciate the risks and understand how to protect ourselves,” explains Wendi L. Lopez, PsyD, Pediatric Psychologist, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center.

When Worry Goes from Good to Bad

Worrying usually has a negative connotation. However, research shows that worry can be beneficial in some instances. It can serve as a motivator, to help someone take appropriate action.2

“Worry, just as all types of anxiety, is normal, natural, and protective. Worry thoughts make us vigilant and help us stay safe. Without worry or anxiety we would engage in unsafe behavior and likely not survive,” says Dr. Lopez. “A balance is necessary: worry enough that it makes us cautious and keeps us and others safe but not so much that we are unable to make decisions and be functional in our lives,” she adds.

Caution around the spread and treatment of COVID-19 is not only necessary; it’s lifesaving. The problem comes in, however, when worry becomes paralyzing.

“Anything is harmful when it stops you from functioning. Really simple black and white. If you do not function, you can’t sleep, you can’t eat, you can’t get up,” states Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator for intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health services, Providence Saint John's Child and Family Development Center.

“It can increase anxiety; it can increase a sense of powerlessness [or] hopelessness. The emotional capacity is not as receptive, [and] it distorts our thoughts,” Dr. Mendez says. “When we’re so overwhelmed or so over exhausted, we stop being able to differentiate between what [we can and cannot do].”

You can’t control a viral outbreak. But you can control your reaction to the stressful situation that it is creating. That control extends to deciding what amount of caution is needed and determining how to protect yourself from becoming exhausted with being vigilant.

Keeping Worry from Becoming Caution Fatigue

Experts say turning off the news for a while can be helpful. But it doesn’t resolve the issue long-term. You have to implement strategies to regulate your stress levels.

“[This] signifies the importance of finding down time, and the importance of being able to hit the reset button both individually and culturally as groups and as a society. It’s important for us to come to a place of collective calmness, so we can reassess new stressors when they come up,” advises Dr. Merrill.

“One of the best ways to protect our mental health is to engage in regular healthy habits: good sleep, good eating, exercise, hydration, and relaxation. This is the foundation that helps our nervous system function well,” Dr. Lopez explains. “Engaging in relaxation skills daily (yoga, meditation, breathing skills, muscle relaxation, etc.) is [also] crucial in down-regulating our nervous system,” she adds.

Seeking help from a mental health professional can also make a significant difference."

Read the full article available at Very Well Mind!

Reflection:

Have you ever struggled with caution fatigue? How did you cope?

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