Crisis Fatigue – What it Is, What it Does, and How to Help

 

With degrees in Psychology and Education, Steve Betando recently retired as a superintendent in Silicon Valley. After a 38-year career in education. Betando writes about how life's stressors can damage the quality of daily activities and mental health. To minimize the impact of Crisis Fatigue, he provides ideas for treating the condition by reducing exposure and boosting positive forces in life.

What causes Crisis Fatigue?

Crisis Fatigue is mental and physical distress after prolonged or repeated exposure to crisis. It refers to an individual's response to the cumulative burden of chronic anxiety because of susceptibility to life’s tragic or disturbing events.

Events known to cause drawn out stress through societal, political, environmental, or personal calamity are:

• MASS TRAGEDIES  

• ECONOMIC RECESSIONS OR DEPRESSION

• WARS AND GOVERNMENT INSURGENCIES

• PANDEMICS

• NATURAL DISASTERS

• UNRESOLVED SOCIETAL DISSENTION 

• CONFRONTATION OR TYRANNICAL POLITICAL CLIMATES

• TRAGIC OR DISTRESSING PERSONAL MATTERS

Current crises grind away at resilience and work against mental and physical health: 

1. WAR

At the time of this article’s publication date, over 25 countries are consumed by war or insurgencies. The worries and distractions about the death and horrors of the Russian-Ukraine war, as the largest hostility, is played out on television and the internet 24 hours a day. 

2. PANDEMIC

Almost 7 million deaths worldwide are attributed to the pandemic. For those surviving the pandemic, the disease changed lives in profound ways. The virus remains unpredictable and continues to morph into variants. The intermittent surges, changing health regulations, and political controversy adds to everyone's anxiety. 

3. MASS SHOOTINGS

People are exposed to more gun violence than ever before. In the year 2022, over 600 mass shootings and other domestic shooting amounted to over 40,000 people being shot. Disturbing video of the events and the aftermath is constantly played in the media. 

4. GLOBAL WARMING

Climate change is linked to dramatic weather patterns. Devastating super storms, fires, droughts, and floods are disrupting lives. Alarming news from around the globe describes climate pattern changes on our planet.  

5. MAN-MADE CATASTROPHES

Disasters caused by human error or maliciousness is on the rise. Transportation disasters include railways, aircraft, and ships. Toxic substance spills, terrorist attacks, and devastating power source accidents also create distrust of corporate decision-making and government agencies.

6. BIGOTRY

Race and gender discrimination takes many forms.  Injustices deteriorate human rights while causing inequitable conditions and disproportionate stressors. Limited access to education, jobs, healthcare, housing, food, and clean water are intolerable hardships. Increases in racist, xenophobic, and sexist acts or statements are direct crisis factors for the victims and create societal stress for everyone.

What does Crisis Fatigue do? (Symptoms)

• physical and mental exhaustion

• health ailments or pains

• insomnia, too much or irregular sleep

• lost appetite or gluttony

• argumentative and easy to anger

• increase use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances 

• numbing or addictive behaviors 

• withdrawn and depressed

• work or school absenteeism

• mood swings

• difficulty concentrating

• despondent feelings: (numb, empty, no life purpose, lonely, helpless, lack empathy)

ALERT for Potential Self-Harm - Symptoms above are also seen in those having a tendency for self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If so, call the 24-hour, toll-free, (confidential support for people in distress): CALL OR TEXT: 988 

How to Help

Choose from the following menu of intervention activities if anguished by Crisis Fatigue. 

1. SPEAK with a medical professional about the specific symptoms. Obtain a medical opinion about how to manage or reduce the anxiety or disruptions.

2. ACKNOWLEDGE the symptoms to a trusted friend or family member and discuss support options.

3. INCREASE time spent with close friends and family members. Although sharing matters of concern is helpful, take caution to avoid dominating the conversation with concerns about distressing news and turn the discussion toward planning positive activities not related to any crisis.

4. LIMIT exposure to media and social media. News agencies and media programming tactics and addictive qualities are highly competitive. The media's primary goals are to win viewers and attract advertisers. Resist with hard boundaries for viewing time spent. 

5. PLAN decent sleep. Our brain processes while asleep. Develop bedtime routines. Keep the room comfortable, dark, cool, and quiet. Keep devices off and inaccessible. Avoid alcohol or caffeine drinks before going to bed as they cause disrupted sleep. If having difficulty, reading real books or sleep music can help.

6. JOURNAL about worries and anxieties related to the crises organizes thoughts and feelings and helps work though troubling issues. It helps to add entries about positive and fulfilling thoughts such as those generated by activities in number 7.

7. ENJOY activities away from influence of crisis. Find beauty and inspiration in life. Take time appreciating positive aspects in others, in the world. Walk in nature, visit a museum, meditate, and listen to music. Being around pets is proven to boost mental health. 

8. SCHEDULE physical activity. Planning regular exercise improves circulation and memory while reducing anxiety and depression. 

9. TAKE ON new challenges of dexterity and fine arts creation. Engage your mind in non-sedentary activities. Learning the activities and memories created will overtake some of the brain activity frequented by fixations on crises. Screen activity (computer or television) is NOT included as a suggested activity as much of the activity is passive. 

Resources: 

Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters | SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/coping-tips

Disaster Distress Helpline: Get Immediate Crisis Counseling and Support | SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Fight racism | United Nations https://www.un.org/en/fight-racism?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0prTtIPL_QIVCxmtBh0DxALZEAAYASAAEgJgZvD_BwE

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets - Help Guide https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm

The Impact of Disaster and Mass Violence Events on Mental Health - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov) https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/violence_trauma_effects.asp

The Lifeline and 988  https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/

Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, and Other Healthcare Workers https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/04/02/fatigue-crisis-hcw/

Overwhelmed and Stressed? Why You May Be Feeling Crisis Fatigue - Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health-news/overwhelmed-and-stressed-why-you-may-be-feeling-crisis-fatigue#The-bottom-line

Shooting Incidents at K-12 Schools (Jan 1970-Jun 2022) - CHDS School Shooting Safety Compendium https://www.chds.us/sssc/data-map/

Why Keep a Positivity Journal? | HealthyPlace https://www.healthyplace.com/self-help/positivity/why-keep-a-positivity-journal