The psychological and emotional impact of the pandemic has been traumatic for many individuals, causing a collective feeling of stress. In fact, recent data from the American Psychological Association show that 84 percent of adults surveyed have the highest stress levels since the early days of the pandemic.

This stress has been caused by a variety of things: a global pandemic; uncertainty in jobs, school, or personal relationships; child care, social isolation, and the dozens of other things people have faced in the last year. However, it’s important to ask, What is the ”right amount or stress”? 

Stephen Graves, LMFT, manager of the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program at the Behavioral Medicine Center - Murrieta, offers some insight.

"The answer is different for each of us,” Graves says, further adding there are indicators of when it might be time to seek professional support:

• It is interfering with work, school, or personal relationships

• You are experiencing persistent sleep issues

• It is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy

• You are isolating yourself from others

• You are having trouble concentrating

• You are experiencing an increase in the use of unhealthy coping skills

• You have experienced thoughts of self-harm

In addition, anxiety and stress impact physical health. Things like headaches, chronic pain, or digestion problems can all be related to anxiety and stress. If stress and anxiety are impacting your life, it may be time to seek help.

Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC) has in-person services for patients who are struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions. Outpatient programs provide a unique approach for behavioral health needs that focus on mind, body, and spirit. The BMC offers various levels of care to address the needs of patients, including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs and therapy services.

This article was originally published on the Loma Linda University Health news site