OVER this past year, I have seen a steep incline in the number of people suffering from mental health issues. Parallel to the surges in Covid cases and deaths, we have seen mass suffering impacting all walks of life. The one thing we have collectively hoped for is freedom from this dark and uncertain time. The vaccine rollout has given us that light at the end of the tunnel, yet when we heard the roadmap for the next phase – coming out of lockdown – it triggered unexpected anxieties across the board.

We have lived and adjusted to an altered sense of normality for almost 11 months. As creatures of habit, we have adapted quickly and have therefore become accustomed to staying home, in small bubbles, working from home if able, all with limited real-life social interactions. The whole population has been educated on infection control and given insights into the world of viruses. It has led us into a strange space where we now have to adjust back into our previous lifestyles but with new information and knowledge. One patient this week said to me, “I don’t want things to go back to before.”

This might not resonate with everyone. For people with social anxieties or other chronic health problems, for example, lockdown has brought a sense of acceptance and inclusion in a way they’ve never experienced before. Others have enjoyed the slower pace of life.

Actually, for a significant proportion of the population, lockdowns and restrictions have brought much positivity and healthy changes to their lifestyles. So, people are naturally anxious about the roadmap ahead.

Anxiety is very personal. It is a state of unease and manifests itself in various ways both psychologically and physically. Symptoms are wide-ranging. They typically include restlessness, dry mouth, racing heart, clammy hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, irritability, gut issues (nausea, vomiting, altered bowel habit, tummy cramps), headaches and fatigue.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, that’s ok. Change does this to all of us. We’ve gone through a lot of collective trauma and much uncertainty still lies ahead. So if you’re feeling anxious, worried or stressed, please know you’re not alone and that there’s nothing wrong with you; this is a very normal reaction to a very unusual set of circumstances. We’ve not lived through a pandemic in our lifetime before so nobody has the textbook answers of how to get through it, but that too is ok. We are figuring this all out together and there’s a magic to it in that we can help one another through this.

There is one thing, however, that we do know that will help us – not just through this pandemic but every day – and that is to focus on the “today”. Get through this day

and celebrate all your wins, whatever they may mean for you, and own them. Speak to others about how you’re feeling and

you’ll learn that you’re really not alone. Support is invaluable – seek it out. Take control and go at the pace that feels most comfortable

to you.

Some might feel thrilled and want to rush out to places as soon as they open and meet people as soon as they can – that’s ok. Others might want to take it slow and monitor the situation for a while longer – that’s ok too. We are all different and have been through different challenges so coming out the other side will also vary for each individual.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel, the most important thing is to honour and validate your feelings because they’re totally normal and they matter. And if you’re finding that you’re struggling, pick up the phone and call your GP. We are always happy to listen, support and help in any way we can. Above all, have faith – we will get through this.