Pandemic, Media, and Mental Health

It took a while but I finally got to the subject. I’m echoing here, but I hate to talk about the pandemic, but here we are. The reason I want to talk about this is because of all that has happened in the past I don’t even know how long, about 2 years, new anxiety has emerged for me. It’s the oddest thing but it makes sense. In the past eight months, I have developed the fear of going to any health-related facility, may it be a dentist, blood work, chiropractor, x-ray, or seeing a family doctor. It’s this doom of having a full-blown panic attack or passing out and ending up in a hospital. I truly blame the over-exposure and talk of the pandemic in the media. It’s constant and a factor of fear and threat. And now I associate that with any healthcare environment.

The impact of words on media is influential, powerful, controlling, and serious. You cannot take it lightly the amount of power media (even social media) has on our mental health. The amount of influence it can hold on us as it can build confusion and loss of reality. I mean, I already struggle with understanding the world around me, I do not need 24/7 reminders of the horrors of the word. I do not hold the ability to sift through all of it to gather what’s relevant, real, and harmless. At least harmless to me in an immediate time.

In conclusion, the pandemic has taken a toll on me. Another reason why my depression and anxiety spiraled during this time. Hopelessness is a living thing and it can devour.

I turned off the TV, the social media, and try to focus on the here and now because too much screen time is not good for anyone.

I’m sorry if this is not what you expected as the pandemic discussion but that’s all I’ve got.