More than 30 percent of American adults are now reporting symptoms consistent with an anxiety or depressive disorder. But stress and worry during this pandemic do not have to win out.
In a matter of months, the world as we knew it changed but that doesn't have to be a bad thing, says Dr. Marilyn Augustyn. Dr. Augustyn is the director of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center. She has been working with families throughout the pandemic.
In March, she saw fear and uncertainty, but now, resilience.
"I think that one just recognizing that it's been a traumatic event for all of us and just putting the elephant out in the open that this has been really hard and if you're tired and if you're feeling hopeless sometimes that's okay," said Dr. Augustyn.
Augustyn says parents can also help their children's mental health through the pandemic by allowing them to feel safe and secure, and to make sense of the things they're seeing, like masks or social distancing.
"I think it's really important that we keep things consistent that we help them know they are safe and loved even in uncertain times."
Recognizing this time for what it's been and remembering it won't last forever can also go a long way in easing the worry.
