Agoraphobia
😶 I am still overcoming agoraphobia.
âš– During the pandemic, when staying in became the norm, I found solace in the rules. Events were canceled, and I adhered more closely than most.
🎉 It was disheartening to witness others gathering and flouting guidelines while I was writing policies on crucial issues like scarce medical resource allocation.
Even as lockdowns lifted, healthcare maintained restrictions, and the sense of crisis persisted for me. COVID wasn't over. Daily stats (admissions, infections, and deaths) were a constant reminder.
😟 The cumulative effect of ongoing restrictions, moral distress, and burnout birthed a fear of leaving the house - agoraphobia took hold.
Some days, I managed; others, I sought refuge.
As I've said, depression is more than emotional; it's physical. Agoraphobia is no different. The anxiety is palpable. Kristen Riecke, an extrovert's extrovert, became my social support - not a new role in our 25-year marriage.
🤔 Before passing judgment on a colleague's "absence," consider the unseen battles they might be facing.
#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #healthcareburnout #agoraphobia
