Anxiety and Depression Spike in US Adults during Coronavirus Pandemic

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Zirbel, 45, said she spent days in tears, and her doctor prescribed an antidepressant.

’’It was just overwhelming for a couple of weeks. I just couldn’t function,” she said. “That’s totally not me. I’m usually the one that’s making people laugh.”

The first therapist she called had a waiting list. She is hoping sessions with the one she found will help.

“I need someone to help me get the tools to cope,” she said.

Todd Creager, a Southern California therapist who specializes in relationship troubles, has upped his weekly workload from 22 hours of therapy to 30 to handle the increased demand.

He is seeing anxiety, depression and stress related to financial woes brought on by the pandemic. And in some cases, virus-related shutdowns have amplified existing strife.

’’In the past, people could get distracted by going to concerts and dinners. Now their problems are kind of staring them in the face,” he said. "I’ve heard people say, 'This pandemic has made me realize how toxic my relationship is.'” 

(Writer: Lindsay Tanner) 

Source: https://apnews.com/208872f1d9fa3a3f3b50a4a902132124