Crisis fatigue is not a formal diagnosis; it is a term used to describe your body’s emotional and physical response to stress caused by prolonged exposure to traumatic events or crises. These events can include natural disasters, wars, pandemics, political instability, economic depressions, or other challenging circumstances.
Chronic stress triggered in response to crisis events can have a significant impact on the body. The body’s response to stressful circumstances is to produce the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. When stressful circumstances persist for long periods, higher levels of these hormones can lead to depression, anxiety, weight gain, bone loss, or high blood pressure. In some cases, crisis fatigue can lead to substance abuse, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts.
Other signs and symptoms of crisis fatigue include:
- Increased irritability
- Excessive emotional responses
- Lack of sleep
- Changes in normal routines
- Changes in appetite
- Mental detachment
- Lack of motivation
Some of the ways a person can cope during uncertain times are to learn how to reduce the level of stress in their life by:
- Reducing the amount of time spent on social media
- Limiting exposure to news reports
- Spending more time with family and friends
- Practicing meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices
- Finding activities that are calming, like reading, listening to music, and doing crafts
It isn’t always easy to cope with stressful situations without professional help. If you are experiencing any long-term effects, consulting a mental health professional may be beneficial.
You can schedule an appointment with a trained professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling (718) 670-5562.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.