Sue StuartCounselling and Psychotherapy in Newcastle

It's normal to feel unsettled and uneasy when big changes happen, whether they are personal or affect the wider world.
We need to give ourselves time to adjust to current changing circumstances. We need to give those around us time to adjust too.
There are so many unknowns; feeling powerless causes most of us to develop an intense desire take control of the things we can still control.

in the current crisis all our brains are registering fear, shock, distress and grief, and this affects our bodies. They respond by mobilising our safety responses - usually to become very active and 'fight' against the 'enemy', to become active and run away, or to become very still, freezing our movements and 'playing dead' until the danger has passed. None of us have conscious control over these responses, and all of us react differently. This is our innate survival instinct.

You may find that you are reacting very differently to people around you, but cannot make yourself do anything else. It is important to be kind to yourself; notice your feelings and allow them to be there. Remind yourself that it's OK to feel the way you do at this time, and that they will change as time passes. No amount of worrying, asking other people for reassurance, listening to the news about Covid 19 or the words of experts will give you all the answers you want at the moment. We have to tolerate the uncertainty, while doing what we can do to keep ourselves and others as safe as possible.

Maybe you need somebody to speak to about what has been happening for you. I am an experienced accredited psychotherapist and counsellor, working in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear for more than twenty years. I will work with you in a safe, calm and confidential way online or by telephone (I am not offering face to face work at this time). We can discuss what is right for you during your first session.