Coping with Crisis – Jenny Makros

It’s important to recognise the seriousness of the public health challenges facing our community and be mindful that reacting from a place of panic and fear is usually unhelpful, especially in the long-term.

A Consultant Psychologist and speaker with 15 years experience in private practice and public health services. Jenny is skilled in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Mindfulness-based practices.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching implications continue to unfold globally and in our community, it’s normal for people to experience a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions including:

• Feeling stressed or overwhelmed
• Anxiety, worry, or fear
• Racing thoughts
• Sadness, tearfulness, loss of interest in usual enjoyable activities
• Physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, stomach upset, fatigue, or other uncomfortable sensations
• Frustration, irritability, or anger
• Restlessness or agitation
• Feeling helpless
• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
• Feeling disconnected from others
• Apprehension about going to public spaces
• Trouble relaxing

It’s important to recognise the seriousness of the public health challenge facing our community, and be mindful that reacting from a place of panic and fear is usually unhelpful, especially in the long-term. Looking after our wellbeing in times like this can help to reduce stress, and is crucial in enabling us to still take calm and effective action in the midst of this global crisis.