Discovering the Unknown: Post Pandemic Stress Disorder and its effect on healthcare professionals

In the past few years, the world has experienced unprecedented times. From a global pandemic to economic uncertainty, we have lived through many unknowns. Now that the infection rate has slowed, we can reflect on just how much we’ve lost, how much has changed, and how we will move forward. They say the hard part is over, but much is still unknown.?

As a bedside nurse for over 14 years, I lost more patients during the pandemic than my entire career. This coupled with short staffing, increased job responsibilities, lack of equipment, a politicized medical landscape, and more, made showing up as my best self more challenging than ever before. This is when I knew I had begun to experience some sort of psychological issue that affected both my personal and professional life.?

I thought to myself, if I am experiencing this, my colleagues and peers must be as well. That’s when I started to do my research on post-pandemic stress disorder. And I was right.

Post Pandemic Stress Disorder?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Post Pandemic Stress Disorder is a new phenomenon that many individuals and healthcare professionals have experienced as a direct result of simply existing and/or working in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disorder occurs as a result of experiencing and being affected by, an accumulation of distressing experiences as a result of or related to the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded over time. These events exceed the individuals’ ability to adapt and cope with stress. Some symptoms can include fear of infection, exposure to quarantine and isolation, fear of exposing family, experiencing an abnormal amount of death, fear of job loss, lockdown, loneliness, and loss of social life.?

The studies surrounding the psychological effects of COVID-19 are alarming and?

though not an official disease entity as of yet, the data is clear. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported a 25% increase in global anxiety and depression during the first year of the pandemic. They attributed stress caused by isolation as one of the biggest factors contributing to the increase. Additionally, in individuals, data from the Psychiatric Times show Symptoms of trauma- and stressor-related disorders were reported by 26.3%, symptoms of anxiety or depression by 30.9%, substance use to cope by 13.3%, and serious consideration of suicide in the prior days by 10.7%. Suicidal ideation was significantly higher for younger respondents aged 18 to 24 years (25.5%), minority groups (Hispanic individuals, 18.6%; Black individuals, 15.1%), nonpaid caregivers for adults (30.7%), and essential workers (21.7%). For the general population, these numbers are truly alarming and should be a wake-up call for us all.?

My personal experience?

Medical professionals and frontline healthcare workers have been disproportionately affected by the psychological impacts of the pandemic due to chronic exposure to stress and daily exposure to disease, increased death among patients, empathy fatigue, etc. Globally, studies also show that healthcare workers had the highest rate of poor sleep, and those aged 35 years or younger had more mood and anxiety symptoms.? Overall, 35.1% of respondents reported anxiety symptoms, 20.0% depressive symptoms, and 18.2% poor sleep quality.?

When I transitioned into travel nursing as COVID ramped up, nothing, not even my 14-year career as a bedside nurse could prepare me for what I experienced during the two-month travel assignment. The resources within the hospital where I was working were extremely limited and morale was extremely low. The amount of death and suffering my patients and their families experienced during that time was inexplicable. As a result, my anxiety was heightened, and feelings of burnout and depression began to overtake me as I felt absolutely helpless watching generally healthy people die one after another.?

After the travel nursing assignment, I knew I could never return to the hospital in this capacity. Though it's been more than two years since this experience, I am still feeling the effects: anxiety, stress, and other sequelae related to working in the pandemic.??

Solutions

Though research is still being done on post-pandemic stress disorder, and how to address the issue, early studies suggest solutions and treatment include trivial remedies like more breaks for healthcare workers, ensuring adequate equipment, and better communication with staff. While these solutions are good to have, they don't address the underlying problem. I assert that is not enough.?

Although I was fortunate to be in a position to return to my MedSpa business once the travel contract was over, I thought about the many other healthcare professionals who would not be so fortunate.??

Since then it has become my mission to expose nurses and other medical professionals to pathways to entrepreneurship as a way to offset some of the bedside burnout and introduce those who may suffer in silence to a balanced yet fulfilled life and career through medical entrepreneurship.?

Helping women find avenues that are enjoyable and not so dark while still fulfilling duties as a servant and helping people can help nurses and other healthcare professionals avoid burnout and lead sustainable lives.?

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly left a permanent mark on the mental health of the population. Post Pandemic Stress Disorder is a problem that we need to address expeditiously.? For healthcare professionals, who may be feeling burnt out, I invite you to join the community at luxebeautyacademy.com and know that you can fulfill your duties as a servant and live a sustainable life.?

Best,?

Dr. Kiiyonna Jones