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As COVID-19 cases (and lockdowns) rise again, remember that your feelings are likely normal and shared by those around you
You may even have managed 'okay' when the pandemic started, but are starting to struggle now
Let’s have a think about why this may be the case
(Thread
) https://twitter.com/DrMikeFarquhar/status/1322851963051061259
You may even have managed 'okay' when the pandemic started, but are starting to struggle now
Let’s have a think about why this may be the case
(Thread
) https://twitter.com/DrMikeFarquhar/status/1322851963051061259
This CFT model is a simple (but useful) way to think about our emotions. We have 3 main emotional systems that balance each other out to keep us well
Yes, we do actually need a threat system in order to alert us to danger
Right now, our threat system is being activated A LOT
Yes, we do actually need a threat system in order to alert us to danger
Right now, our threat system is being activated A LOT
When the pandemic started there was a global surge of adrenaline as our threat systems kicked in
For many, a natural way to counteract this was by upping our drive system
This drive was especially needed in the NHS to reorganise the whole health service in a matter of weeks
For many, a natural way to counteract this was by upping our drive system
This drive was especially needed in the NHS to reorganise the whole health service in a matter of weeks
You also saw this in the general public. People started hobbies, exercising, DIY.
This wasn’t just because people had more time at home. It was a way to counteract our overactive threat systems https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/04/a-good-yarn-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-spawns-arts-and-craft-renaissance
This wasn’t just because people had more time at home. It was a way to counteract our overactive threat systems https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/04/a-good-yarn-uk-coronavirus-lockdown-spawns-arts-and-craft-renaissance
Although we couldn’t see each other, we did have a little bit of abstract human connection – that feeling that we were “all in this together”
Remember the 8pm clap? Feels like a lifetime ago.
This sort of thing may have helped us to connect to each other and be soothed
Remember the 8pm clap? Feels like a lifetime ago.
This sort of thing may have helped us to connect to each other and be soothed
However, it was never going to be enough
Our soothing system is predicated on varied and consistent human contact. It evolved to help us bond and form communities
Even if you are an introvert, we all need human contact to stay in balance
Our soothing system is predicated on varied and consistent human contact. It evolved to help us bond and form communities
Even if you are an introvert, we all need human contact to stay in balance
You can only bounce between drive and threat for so long.
Without the nourishment of social contact, your drive also begins to splutter and fade
But the threat hasn’t stopped – leaving us alone in the red zone
This is why you put down the knitting and get VERY tired of zoom
Without the nourishment of social contact, your drive also begins to splutter and fade
But the threat hasn’t stopped – leaving us alone in the red zone
This is why you put down the knitting and get VERY tired of zoom
And that is not all! Let us now add in the demand on your cognitive system (your ‘thinking’)
This is another simple model about how memory works.
The part to pay attention to here is your implicit memory in red below
This is another simple model about how memory works.
The part to pay attention to here is your implicit memory in red below
Implicit memory is a nifty mechanism that allows us to do some actions automatically, so that we aren’t wasting energy thinking everything through explicitly
Ever absentmindedly walked somewhere familiar and suddenly thought “Oh, I’m here!”?
Implicit memory is VERY cool
Ever absentmindedly walked somewhere familiar and suddenly thought “Oh, I’m here!”?
Implicit memory is VERY cool
Right now basic automatic actions (going outside, travelling, touching stuff, even breathing) are needing to be fully thought through.
Additionally, the ‘rules’ are always changing
You are using your working/explicit memory to figure all this out
This takes MUCH more energy
Additionally, the ‘rules’ are always changing
You are using your working/explicit memory to figure all this out
This takes MUCH more energy
The longer this all goes on, the more our brains establish this as ‘the norm’
We often feel that we ‘should’ be able to cope with the norm
Which is why many people have a nagging sense that they should be managing, and struggle to understand why they are tired and emotional
We often feel that we ‘should’ be able to cope with the norm
Which is why many people have a nagging sense that they should be managing, and struggle to understand why they are tired and emotional
This is an old tweet from @thefourthcraw in July, but I’m still struck by the comments and how common these sorts of conversations are (especially at work).
It is almost like we forget that we are in extraordinary circumstances at times https://twitter.com/thefourthcraw/status/1278010084396761094?s=20
It is almost like we forget that we are in extraordinary circumstances at times https://twitter.com/thefourthcraw/status/1278010084396761094?s=20
So what can we do?
First and foremost – remind yourself that you are not failing to cope. This is just what coping looks like right now.
Secondly – reach out as often as you can to build up your soothing (a poor substitute for the real thing, but even more important now).
First and foremost – remind yourself that you are not failing to cope. This is just what coping looks like right now.
Secondly – reach out as often as you can to build up your soothing (a poor substitute for the real thing, but even more important now).
Thirdly – build in some other ‘non drive’ ways to access soothing. Put down being productive and substitute in nature, sleep, good food, etc
This is going to be especially important for NHS staff, who will be asked once again to adapt rapidly to the changing circumstances
This is going to be especially important for NHS staff, who will be asked once again to adapt rapidly to the changing circumstances
There is much resource being pulled together across various NHS trusts to try and support staff - whether this is through wellbeing spaces, listening services, structural changes to allow for more rest, etc.
NHS staff: take advantage of these BEFORE you think you need it
NHS staff: take advantage of these BEFORE you think you need it
@DrMikeFarquhar and I wrote at the start of the pandemic that an in depth conversation about safe staffing needs to happen. NHS staff wellbeing cannot just rely on individual personal responsibility - it must be supported from above https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m1150
There are also some self care areas to think about in the article above.
We are in for a tough winter. Let us try and bring some compassion to ourselves and each other.
Let “this is a NORMAL response to EXTRAORDINARY circumstances" become your mantra
Good luck, to us all
We are in for a tough winter. Let us try and bring some compassion to ourselves and each other.
Let “this is a NORMAL response to EXTRAORDINARY circumstances" become your mantra
Good luck, to us all
@threadreaderapp Unroll please!
