Restriction removals causing heightened anxiety for some, experts say

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After two years of COVID-19 health measures, psychology and mental-health experts are seeing reports of higher stress and anxiety in Albertans who remain cautious about the transition to lifting restrictions.

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Alberta was the first province in Canada to end its proof of vaccination program on Wednesday, with most restrictions lifting at the end of the month. The province’s approach was jarring for some,  especially Albertans who are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

Dr. Scott Patten, professor of psychiatry at the University of Calgary, said treating anxiety usually involves finding ways to overcome challenges that a perceived threat or danger presents. But the situation is different for stress or anxiety with COVID-19.

“That’s a situation where a real concern about a real danger might cause a person to become more isolated or withdrawn, all of which could feed into the anxiety and make it worse. It’s a real difficult situation for vulnerable populations,” Patten said.

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“Anxiety is not all good or all bad. It’s a natural, understandable response. But in other situations, it could evolve into a mental-health issue that can be very distressing, and very disabling as well.”

People cope better in these situations when they have reliable information they can feel confident in, he explained — even in medicine, when people are confronting a life-threatening situation, they can cope extremely well if they know what their choices are.

However, the spread of misinformation is conflicting with evidence from medical professionals, creating feelings of division and uncertainty. This causes people to lose trust in which situations are safe.

“That has certainly been an issue. People don’t know what to believe, and may not be trusting of some of the sources of information that they’re hearing from,” he said.

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“It seems to have resulted in a polarization of people’s beliefs where something that might be reassuring to one group seems threatening to another.”

Dr. Angela Grace, a registered psychologist based in Calgary, said her clients are reporting increased insomnia, addiction, anxiety and depression. Feelings described by her younger clients are particularly distressing.

“I work with teenage girls who are terrified about their future and losing motivation to do schoolwork, because they’re thinking, what’s the point?” Grace said. “There’s a sense of hopelessness.”

Her clients are experiencing anxiety and fear over lifting restrictions, but also of being harassed by people who strongly oppose public health measures, she said.

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She said she has been working with a new mother who was afraid of her newborn catching COVID-19. When she eventually felt safe enough to go into public settings, a young man yelled and cursed at her in a Starbucks for wearing a mask.

“It has real impact on people. Now I’ve got a new mom who’s scared to go out of her house again,” she said.

“We have to acknowledge there is no going back to normal, we have to create something new. We have to create something more inclusive. If people choose to wear masks, they need to be left alone.”

Christine Berry, counsellor with the Calgary Counselling Centre, said concrete, scientific information to reassure patients is helpful when treating anxiety. People can start catastrophizing in the absence of reliable information.

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“They’re going to go to the worst-case scenario, and that feeling of uncertainty and fear will start to escalate,” Berry said. Anger can also be a common response for people in uncertain situations, she said.

When these feelings arise, try to remember what you can take responsibility for, she said. People don’t have to move as fast as the government in removing public health measures.

“Slow down. Take the time that you need to take for the self care, wellness and positive health behaviours. All of those things will be critical right now,” Berry said.

“At the end of the day, I am still the one who decides if I’m going to go outside. I am the one who decides.”

The Calgary Counselling Centre offers mental-health services on a sliding pay scale. People who are struggling with their mental health can also call Access Mental Health free of charge at (403) 943-1500. The Canadian Mental Health Association has free resources available as well.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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Twitter: @BrittGervaisAB