Selected Podcast
Coping/Stress Management During the Pandemic
Dr. Lisa Keenan-Uschold discusses and gives tips on how to manage and cope with stress, and your overall mental health, during the pandemic.
Featuring:
Lisa Keenan-Uschold, Ph.D.
Lisa Keenan-Uschold, Ph.D., is a licensed Chief Clinical Psychologist and has directed the Rehab Psychology services at ECMC Corp. since 2005. She received her Master’s Degree in Psychology and Ph.D. in Behavioral Health/Health Psychology from the University of North Texas. She completed a clinical internship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and Postdoctoral training at the Transitional Learning Center, a residential brain injury rehabilitation center in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Keenan’s expertise includes trauma, pain management, adjustment to diagnoses, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, and PTSD. Her programs include individual/group therapy, adjunct support programs, inpatient consultation, community support groups and palliative care services. She also directs clinical internship and postdoctoral psychology training at ECMC and provides expert testimony. Transcription:
Evo Terra (Host): The last year challenging is a bit of an understatement as the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reaches far beyond the virus itself.
It's been a stressful year for all of us. And we're all looking for ways to cope. That's why I've asked Dr. Lisa Keenan-Uschold director of rehab counseling and psychology services at ECMC to join me today.
This is true care HealthCast the official podcast from Erie County medical center. I'm Evo Terra doctor. I understand that you direct rehab counseling and psychology services at EMC, but more recently you've been involved with helping to manage stress related to the pandemic. COVID-19 would you please explain your roles at ECMC
Lisa Keenan-Uschold, Ph.D. (Guest): Absolutely rehab psychology at ECMC is a distinct service and it offers support and counseling to individuals who are survivors of traumatic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, as well as those with chronic health conditions such as chronic pain or progressive illnesses such as MS or ALS.
We can provide trauma informed care for PTSD, which is also often diagnosed following traumatic injuries, or accidents. And if you can imagine, stress management is. Fundamental for managing medical conditions, as well as for mental health and quality of life. And this pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented stress and uncertainty.
So my work not only involves supporting our patients in the outpatient area, but also for our medical inpatients who are in need of emotional support during their hospitalization and our frontline healthcare workers who are managing this challenging time.
Host: I know you've been recording some videos that help address the psychological and emotional impacts of this pandemic. But what types of issues do you help deal with as they relate to managing stress through this pandemic
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Well, my colleagues and I started recognizing common themes and concerns from our patients as well as our family. And. Friends and people in the community. And some of that involves how to handle social distancing or isolation, how to get through holidays or special occasions, such as birthdays or graduations, sleep disturbance, insomnia, which is often due to this worry and anxiety or some of the depression that many are experiencing.
And of course we can't forget. You know, virtual learning and changes in work responsibilities. So ECMC decided to film a series of brief videos that allows us to help address these concerns and better support our community at large.
Host: And those concerns are very real because all of us are facing these challenging, stressful times, as I mentioned. So would you please provide some helpful stress management tips as we continue to confront the impact of this pandemic?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Routines are so important. And right now we're finding that's one of the main things that are getting disrupted for individuals, whether it is because changes in their schooling, changes in their work, changes in just how they're handling their day to day routine. So getting up around the same time, if you were exercising, doing that, walking your dog, those things that kind of anchor you and Ground you to your day-to-day life, sleep hygiene. We're finding it for not getting up maybe to. Commute into work. We're staying up later at night, getting up later in the morning, and that can be a slippery slope. So trying to make sure that you're keeping that good sleep hygiene of going to bed around the same time and still getting up at the same time, avoiding some of those unhealthy coping strategies.
We're finding the use of alcohol to kind of take that edge off or to cope at the end of a. Busy day or to cope with anxiety is really increasing during this pandemic. So being mindful that's not used as a crutch or that you're not leaning on that too much, or potentially those comfort foods that we all love, those ice creams and maybe it's Mac and cheese or fried foods, or take out, you know, again, trying to make sure that you're mindful of your diet.
And you're trying to keep that in line during this time. We're seeing an increase in general of substance use, whether it be alcohol, marijuana, prescriptions. So making sure that we're not leaning to things to try to fix this, or to try to help us get through in a way that can cause us further damage down the line.
And lastly, Exercise, you know, the weather, obviously, depending on where you are, can be a factor or, or when gyms are potentially being closed, schedules, changing, but trying to find creative ways to have movement in your day and keep your body moving. Maintaining that perspective that, although I know many are feeling burned out, this is temporary.
So we've got to stay connected and we've got to listen to our bodies and keep those routines going.
Host: Let's talk about the temporality of things, whether that's real or imaginary at some point in time. This will be over or a new version of a new normal, or a new different will be out there. Should people wait until we move beyond this pandemic to address other medical or health needs, we might have
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely not. It is critical to continue to attend to ongoing health needs remaining adherent to medications, you know, making sure you are refilling those prescriptions, you're contacting your pharmacy or your doctors. If you're running out, scheduling any. Medical appointments that you may have, whether they are physicals or specialty services, contacting providers if experiencing new symptoms or having medical concerns, because yes, this pandemic will be temporary, but the need to manage those ongoing conditions like diabetes and hypertension, that's lifelong and should not be ignored at this time.
Host: I think there's a case to be made that all of us could use some sort of psychological guidance and advice during these trying times. But I do wonder about those that are dealing with much more intense or severe depression. Does ECMC have resources to address those feelings or conditions?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely we do actually ECMC is a center of excellence for behavioral health, and we have providers that can address the entire range of experience conditions from clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders, bipolar schizophrenia, whole gamut of diagnoses. You know, we have a help center.
Which actually provides immediate mental health support. And that could be reached by 898-1594 And this again, the help center can help individuals link with appropriate care case management, psychiatry resources in the community. And we have lots of locations for our outpatient behavioral health and 898-HOPE or 898-4673 is another way that individuals can connect and find locations that are nearest them.
Host: I want to go back a moment ago. You brought up the idea that many people I'll say many of us are turning to things like alcohol, recreational drugs, anything we can do to cope with the problems that arise or might even be intensifying for us during the pandemic, that clearly is a path towards some of substance abuse. ECMC help with substance abuse?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely. Again, we can, during this pandemic, we are seeing a rise in substance misuse abuse. We're seeing rises in overdose. Some as I had mentioned is out of an attempt to cope. some is due to reduced access potentially to care or resources in the community or fear due to the virus to engage in these community-based.
Resources. So many support services such as AA or NA groups in the community have transitioned to virtual platforms and it may not be as accessible to some or maybe individuals do not feel as connected or accountable using those platforms. So ECMC's outpatient, substance use treatment services are here and.
Please do call. If this is something that you find yourself dealing with, the number is 898-5247 And we know that we are asked to distance for safety, but truly individuals are not alone. If they are struggling with substance use.
Host: Last question doctor, for those of us who might not want that in person experience, because we are still under a very, bad pandemic with a highly communicable disease. Are there ways for those of us who'd like to communicate with ECMC clinicians without having to be seen in person
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Many are anxious and fearful to attend in person for healthcare visits at ECMC we want our patients to feel safe. We want them to feel comfortable and we do offer ECMC virtual care and we offer it for ER visits, help center visits, our outpatient clinics, primary care individuals can go to www.ecmc.edu.virtual care.
Host: Dr. Keenan-Uschold Thanks for all of the great information.
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Oh, thank you so much for having me here.
Host: Once again, that was Dr. Lisa Keenan-Uschold Director of Rehab Counseling and Psychology Services at ECMC I remind you that you can reach the ECMC help center at (716) 898-1594. Or by visiting ecmc.edu/ecmc virtual-help center-visits Thank you for listening to this episode of true Care health cast, the official podcast from Erie County medical center. I am Evo Terra. If you found this episode helpful, please share it on your social channels and be sure to check our entire library of past episodes, which you can find at ecmc.edu
Evo Terra (Host): The last year challenging is a bit of an understatement as the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reaches far beyond the virus itself.
It's been a stressful year for all of us. And we're all looking for ways to cope. That's why I've asked Dr. Lisa Keenan-Uschold director of rehab counseling and psychology services at ECMC to join me today.
This is true care HealthCast the official podcast from Erie County medical center. I'm Evo Terra doctor. I understand that you direct rehab counseling and psychology services at EMC, but more recently you've been involved with helping to manage stress related to the pandemic. COVID-19 would you please explain your roles at ECMC
Lisa Keenan-Uschold, Ph.D. (Guest): Absolutely rehab psychology at ECMC is a distinct service and it offers support and counseling to individuals who are survivors of traumatic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, as well as those with chronic health conditions such as chronic pain or progressive illnesses such as MS or ALS.
We can provide trauma informed care for PTSD, which is also often diagnosed following traumatic injuries, or accidents. And if you can imagine, stress management is. Fundamental for managing medical conditions, as well as for mental health and quality of life. And this pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented stress and uncertainty.
So my work not only involves supporting our patients in the outpatient area, but also for our medical inpatients who are in need of emotional support during their hospitalization and our frontline healthcare workers who are managing this challenging time.
Host: I know you've been recording some videos that help address the psychological and emotional impacts of this pandemic. But what types of issues do you help deal with as they relate to managing stress through this pandemic
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Well, my colleagues and I started recognizing common themes and concerns from our patients as well as our family. And. Friends and people in the community. And some of that involves how to handle social distancing or isolation, how to get through holidays or special occasions, such as birthdays or graduations, sleep disturbance, insomnia, which is often due to this worry and anxiety or some of the depression that many are experiencing.
And of course we can't forget. You know, virtual learning and changes in work responsibilities. So ECMC decided to film a series of brief videos that allows us to help address these concerns and better support our community at large.
Host: And those concerns are very real because all of us are facing these challenging, stressful times, as I mentioned. So would you please provide some helpful stress management tips as we continue to confront the impact of this pandemic?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Routines are so important. And right now we're finding that's one of the main things that are getting disrupted for individuals, whether it is because changes in their schooling, changes in their work, changes in just how they're handling their day to day routine. So getting up around the same time, if you were exercising, doing that, walking your dog, those things that kind of anchor you and Ground you to your day-to-day life, sleep hygiene. We're finding it for not getting up maybe to. Commute into work. We're staying up later at night, getting up later in the morning, and that can be a slippery slope. So trying to make sure that you're keeping that good sleep hygiene of going to bed around the same time and still getting up at the same time, avoiding some of those unhealthy coping strategies.
We're finding the use of alcohol to kind of take that edge off or to cope at the end of a. Busy day or to cope with anxiety is really increasing during this pandemic. So being mindful that's not used as a crutch or that you're not leaning on that too much, or potentially those comfort foods that we all love, those ice creams and maybe it's Mac and cheese or fried foods, or take out, you know, again, trying to make sure that you're mindful of your diet.
And you're trying to keep that in line during this time. We're seeing an increase in general of substance use, whether it be alcohol, marijuana, prescriptions. So making sure that we're not leaning to things to try to fix this, or to try to help us get through in a way that can cause us further damage down the line.
And lastly, Exercise, you know, the weather, obviously, depending on where you are, can be a factor or, or when gyms are potentially being closed, schedules, changing, but trying to find creative ways to have movement in your day and keep your body moving. Maintaining that perspective that, although I know many are feeling burned out, this is temporary.
So we've got to stay connected and we've got to listen to our bodies and keep those routines going.
Host: Let's talk about the temporality of things, whether that's real or imaginary at some point in time. This will be over or a new version of a new normal, or a new different will be out there. Should people wait until we move beyond this pandemic to address other medical or health needs, we might have
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely not. It is critical to continue to attend to ongoing health needs remaining adherent to medications, you know, making sure you are refilling those prescriptions, you're contacting your pharmacy or your doctors. If you're running out, scheduling any. Medical appointments that you may have, whether they are physicals or specialty services, contacting providers if experiencing new symptoms or having medical concerns, because yes, this pandemic will be temporary, but the need to manage those ongoing conditions like diabetes and hypertension, that's lifelong and should not be ignored at this time.
Host: I think there's a case to be made that all of us could use some sort of psychological guidance and advice during these trying times. But I do wonder about those that are dealing with much more intense or severe depression. Does ECMC have resources to address those feelings or conditions?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely we do actually ECMC is a center of excellence for behavioral health, and we have providers that can address the entire range of experience conditions from clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders, bipolar schizophrenia, whole gamut of diagnoses. You know, we have a help center.
Which actually provides immediate mental health support. And that could be reached by 898-1594 And this again, the help center can help individuals link with appropriate care case management, psychiatry resources in the community. And we have lots of locations for our outpatient behavioral health and 898-HOPE or 898-4673 is another way that individuals can connect and find locations that are nearest them.
Host: I want to go back a moment ago. You brought up the idea that many people I'll say many of us are turning to things like alcohol, recreational drugs, anything we can do to cope with the problems that arise or might even be intensifying for us during the pandemic, that clearly is a path towards some of substance abuse. ECMC help with substance abuse?
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Absolutely. Again, we can, during this pandemic, we are seeing a rise in substance misuse abuse. We're seeing rises in overdose. Some as I had mentioned is out of an attempt to cope. some is due to reduced access potentially to care or resources in the community or fear due to the virus to engage in these community-based.
Resources. So many support services such as AA or NA groups in the community have transitioned to virtual platforms and it may not be as accessible to some or maybe individuals do not feel as connected or accountable using those platforms. So ECMC's outpatient, substance use treatment services are here and.
Please do call. If this is something that you find yourself dealing with, the number is 898-5247 And we know that we are asked to distance for safety, but truly individuals are not alone. If they are struggling with substance use.
Host: Last question doctor, for those of us who might not want that in person experience, because we are still under a very, bad pandemic with a highly communicable disease. Are there ways for those of us who'd like to communicate with ECMC clinicians without having to be seen in person
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Many are anxious and fearful to attend in person for healthcare visits at ECMC we want our patients to feel safe. We want them to feel comfortable and we do offer ECMC virtual care and we offer it for ER visits, help center visits, our outpatient clinics, primary care individuals can go to www.ecmc.edu.virtual care.
Host: Dr. Keenan-Uschold Thanks for all of the great information.
Dr. Keenan-Uschold: Oh, thank you so much for having me here.
Host: Once again, that was Dr. Lisa Keenan-Uschold Director of Rehab Counseling and Psychology Services at ECMC I remind you that you can reach the ECMC help center at (716) 898-1594. Or by visiting ecmc.edu/ecmc virtual-help center-visits Thank you for listening to this episode of true Care health cast, the official podcast from Erie County medical center. I am Evo Terra. If you found this episode helpful, please share it on your social channels and be sure to check our entire library of past episodes, which you can find at ecmc.edu