Category Archives: Fear

Covid-19

Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Employees

Healthcare workers are in a precarious position on the frontlines of the struggle against COVID-19. In China, Italy, and Spain, thousands of healthcare workers have been infected with the coronavirus. More than 150 healthcare workers in four Boston hospitals were reported to have been infected.

Frontline healthcare workers are likely to experience fear, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. Many professionals are choosing to isolate themselves from family members to avoid potential transmission of the virus, thus eliminating important sources of social support. Frontline caregivers may also experience compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and secondary stress, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to tax the American healthcare system and exact its toll on the mental health of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other direct care professionals.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Do you experience intense anxiety or nervousness when faced with social situations?

Do you fear being judged or criticized by others?

Are you always worried about making mistakes, looking bad or being embarrassed in front of others?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may have social anxiety disorder. While it is normal to feel nervous in some social situations, people who experience daily social anxiety tend to avoid everyday interactions that cause them significant fear, anxiety, self-consciousness, and embarrassment because they fear being scrutinized or judged by others.

People with Social Anxiety Disorder often experience significant distress in the following situations:

  • Being teased or criticized
  • Being the center of attention
  • Being watched or observed while completing a task
  • Having to say something in a formal, public setting
  • Meeting people in authority, such as important people or authority figures
  • Feeling insecure and out of place in social situations
  • Embarrassing easily
  • Meeting other people’s eyes

Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition. Learning coping skills in therapy sessions can help you gain the confidence you need to improve your ability to interact with others.

If you feel you may have social anxiety disorder, we encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation.