PARKSMD.COM - Holistic Podcast: Recent Episodes

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The epilogue follows a number of blog posts/articles about different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic experience. Some of the many topics include mental health issues related to the pandemic as anxiety, depression, loss and grief, PTSD, coping with stress, prevention of COVID-19 or related illnesses, early recognition and treatment of mental distress and illness from integrative and holistic medicine and psychiatric perspectives. To review and read this and related articles, go to https://parksmd.com/

• The U.S. and all the other countries of the world lost the cherished and innocent beliefs of individuality, separateness, and independence.
• There was no security from a devastating infectious pathogen, quickly crossing permeable national boundaries. The self-conceived bubble of safety and autonomy had burst into the reality of living in a global interconnected population. The impact of one individual potentially effects the health and wellbeing of all on the planet.
• The disproportionated casualties of disease, epidemics, and pandemics are often the disadvantaged and underserved populations, living in unhealthy settings, squalor with inadequate nutrition, poverty, overcrowding, and excessive pollution exposure. Places when there has been climate catastrophe as hurricanes, flooding, fires, and war population displacements, become high-risk situations.
• As disaster and tragic events eventually pass and heal with time, as does the pain of loss and grieving, recovery and rebuilding ultimately occur.
• Then gradually, with time, compliancy again develops. There is a return to living back in a bubble of felt separateness and independence - a repetitious cycle fed by ignorance and self-interest. Indifference to the prevailing circumstances of the time, adversely affecting others, can again prevail.
• The remedy is the need for constant reminders always to pay attention to the larger world outside ourselves. All must remember the dire consequence of not supporting and caring for the environment in which we live and others outside of our self-interest spheres. Staying awake to the reality and truth of our existence and interdependence will remind us of the need for cooperation, acceptance, and co-existence.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a marked increase in depression with mental health resources being overwhelmed when needed the most. Most antidepressant prescriptions are by non-psychiatric or mental health trained healthcare providers who are often the initial access to mental health care. Antidepressants are reported as the third most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S. About one-tenth of this country's adults are estimated to take antidepressants.

1. There is a role for conventional treatments with medication, especially in the situation of resistant or major depression, where more natural therapies have not been effective.
2. Antidepressant studies have shown side effects and potential dangers.
3. Caution and careful assessment remain vital in determining antidepressant safety and use.

For the complete post-article go to parksmd.com. At the end of the post-article are references and links to other relevant articles.

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Be vigilant to protect yourself and others from one of the most virulent and destructive viruses of the century.

Keep tuned to the latest news and recommendation from reputable sources, but be careful to avoid any politically motivated misinformation. The COVID-19 infections and spread will continue until effective anti-viral drugs, vaccines, adequate testing, and contact tracing are available. Take steps to help sustain health and endurance during the present demanding times. Wise and knowledgeable information can be essential, as recorded here.