Recession – A mental and material downer
By Effective Communication
Few could have failed to escape the fact that we are well and truly in the grip of a recession and with constant talk of business closures, job losses, and home repossessions, it’s easy to place all our focus on the purely material impact of such circumstances.
But what about the emotional and psychological side effects of being faced with a situation that for many has been unexpected and quite literally spiralled right out of their control?
With one in four of us destined to suffer from some form of mental illness during our lifetime (interestingly one in four of us will also have to deal with debt), Christine Lovell, consultant psychologist and clinical director of Ludlow Street Healthcare Group says that stressful times make it more important than ever to look after our mental as well as physical health and recognise and deal with the early warning signs that could signify problems ahead.
“I think the main thing with many of the problems we may find ourselves facing during times of recession is that they create an unfamiliar level of uncertainty and unpredictability – which in itself generates increased levels of stress and anxiety.
“Those, for example, who have found themselves in the unfortunate position of losing their job are faced with far more pressures than may initially be recognised.
“Of course the financial element will have a huge impact but add to that, potential feelings of displacement, a drop in self-esteem and confidence with a loss of identity and we start to build a truer picture of the full effect.
“One of the best protectors of our mental health is to have around us good support networks and we often don’t realise how much of this we receive from our work colleagues.
“Our job plays a big part in defining who we are and creating an identity and for many, to have that taken away can have all sorts of psychological implications.
“In younger people, it can create a sort of ‘what was the point’ attitude – so, why did I bother studying simply to find myself unemployed a year on? In those of the older generation, being made redundant can make them utterly demoralised as they question if this is it for them and will there be a way back on to the career ladder at all.
“The current economic climate could lead to major life changing events, many of which act as a catalyst for others – producing a domino effect.
“So, losing your job can lead to money worries, which could in turn lead to stress within a relationship and even in some cases its breakdown. In the most serious cases, people could find themselves homeless and at this point at an all time low.
“Emotions associated with one – or in fact all – of the above examples will include embarrassment, helplessness, isolation, sadness and possibly a sense of shame or guilt, believing it’s something you should or could have prevented.
“Equally, the fear of the unknown and worry about job loss for example – even before it’s happened – can cause great anxiety and affect your performance in work and general functioning.
“I think the worse thing somebody facing any of these issues can do is to try and deal with them alone. There’s often the feeling of ‘keeping up appearances’ whether with friends, family or neighbours – but it is these very people who can offer support and stop an individual becoming isolated and withdrawn. It’s here that the old adage of ‘a problem shared’ really comes into its own.
“At the end of the day, anxiety is a natural emotion but there are many ways we can
help to put ourselves in a better position to deal with it – including maintaining a healthy lifestyle, trying to stay active and focusing on positive experiences and emotions. Doing things for other people can also help us to feel more positive about all our situations.
“Also, face up to problems and don’t hide away. There are support organisations out there ready to help and I think people need to make more use of the services available to them.
“And, if people find themselves in a position whereby they can’t sleep or enjoy life like they used to, feel depressed or hopeless or have lost their appetite and generally feel that they can’t go on, I must urge them to see their GP.
“Society is starting to wake up to the harsh reality of mental illness and the difficulties faced by those affected, but there is still an element of stigma and this is something that has to change.
“At the end of the day, economic conditions are not going to dramatically improve in the near future and this coupled with the general stresses of modern living are something we need to be mindful of to ensure the necessary support mechanisms are in place to deal with these issues effectively.”
Tags: Christine Lovell, Ludlow Street Healthcare Group, mental health
