Many people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder hang on to one thing, spring… yes, spring! How people mentally deal with SAD may differ. But, one thing many have in common is knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel once spring arrives.
This year was different, actually to those who suffer from SAD, generalized anxiety and/or depression received multiple doses of “well, that’s just too damn bad,” because COVID-19 lingered at the end of the tunnel. The light which was so vibrant began to withdraw in March.
March is when we received the news that a new (novel) virus, COVID-19 was not only discovered but turned into a pandemic in a matter of weeks. Just when those of us who rely on spring to draw us out of our winter SAD well, we were told we must isolate, social distance, wear masks, don’t touch anything without sanitizing it- oh fuck, the list goes on… too much information to take in when your brain is already feeling bruised and abused from SAD.
Just when you feel healing is on the way, it’s as if you’ve been sucker punched in the gut hearing about a novel virus that can be deadly. On top of feeling as though you were sucker punched, you begin to realize that the stigma placed on those who suffer from Mental Health issues has taken a step back in time too.
Because the Corona virus has been down played by certain political figures who people worship, our legitimate fears and the reality of COVID-19 have been under attack literally. The people who worship politicians do not follow Science- yet, no matter how many facts they are given, they still turn to those who say the numbers have been manipulated & the virus is no worse than the seasonal flu. I’m not sure about you, but that type of mindset pissed me off in the beginning ( I think many of us were hoping that in time, those who think COVID is a joke, would understand how serious it is).
Whose beyond pissed off now and feeling emotionally exhausted, along with a sense of defeat?