Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Election Day. COVID.
Anxiety levels have increased in the US, and one mental health expert says they're at the highest in a generation.
"Early in my career, when we're talking about 9/11 and catastrophic events like that, anxiety levels were this high, but that's the thing I think can approach" levels today, says Dr. Michael Cummings, Vice Chair of Psychiatry for the University at Buffalo and Associate Medical Director of ECMC. "There's all the uncertainty with COVID and the election, and what that may mean. There's not a small number of people who feel COVID's been politicized and will that change depending on the outcome, and I think there's anxiety about whether there will even be an outcome on Election Day and what that may look like."
What's the best way to cope? "Taking care of yourself, maintaining a structure to your day, so there's some level of predictablity. We can't necessarily affect what's going on around us, but we can affect what we do, get enough sleep, some exercise and stay socially connected," advises Cummings. But he says take some time away from the screen. "I would not spend all day searching social media and watching the news channels because that's already going to heighten what you're already experiencing."
Cummings says if it affects your sleep or relationships with loved ones, getting help sooner than later may be beneficial. "We have great options locally. ECMC has a 7 day health center. You'll can call them, and they also have walk-in hours. If it's a crisis, Crisis Services is always an option," adds Cummings.
