Part 8/11:
For individuals with PTSD, the pandemic has been a particularly challenging hurdle. Constant exposure to distressing news about illness, loss, and societal unrest has acted as a triggering agent for many trauma survivors. Symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and dissociation may have intensified, as the collective trauma associated with the pandemic rekindled past traumas—particularly for those without resolution from previous psychologically distressing experiences.
Survivors of trauma have reported feeling increasingly isolated and disconnected, exacerbating feelings of helplessness. The unique triggers brought on by the pandemic's environmental stressors without the necessary support systems have made 2020 and beyond a difficult period for many.