Remember what you were doing when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center? Or when President Reagan was shot? Well, what about when Putin invaded Ukraine..?
Which time, you ask? For real. That’s a good point. When world changing events occur, they make a lasting impression that stays with us, often for the rest of our lives. And when Vladimir Putin’s forces attacked Ukraine, destroying military bases, airports, and captured Chernobyl, it may have had this kind of impact on you. You likely are feeling anxiety about Ukraine.
Now there’s talk of a great war coming to Europe, and that’s scary to think about. It’s been 80 years since we’ve seen anything like that. And now nuclear warfare is so threatening, we can’t afford a “Great War.”
You may feel angry. Most of us do.
Do you know someone who’s in Ukraine now, huddling in a bomb shelter, or evacuating on a train? Or someone standing in line at a border country, trying to cross over? The helplessness you feel when you have no idea from minute to minute if they’re ok…whether they’re safe…
As the leader of a world power, when Putin invaded the beautiful, peaceful country of Ukraine, he had to know full well the peace-loving countries of the world would would not be passive, right? It leaves us all to wonder, “What’s he thinking?” “What’s next?”
Ok, so what’s the recipe for fear? Create uncertainty, have everything ride on it, rip away supports and familiarity…and attack relentlessly and without warning. Sound familiar? Sounds like Putin’s tactic, doesn’t it?
That’s why you’re afraid. As are people around the world, and especially in Ukraine.
First: our compassion and horror for the citizens of Ukraine rises high as we worry about them.
How far will he go? How long will the bombs continue to be launched and explode? Already he’s attacked not just city centers, but kindergartens, orphanages, a Holocaust massacre site, and hospitals. It’s understandable that you feel anxiety about Ukraine. Right?
This guy breaks all the rules of humanity…and that makes us feel anxiety about Ukraine. And anger. So much anger.
Will the people have food? What about uncontaminated water, when infrastructure is being destroyed? Will they survive? What can you do to help? Those thoughts swirl through your mind around and around.
They do in mine, too.
Peace loving countries will mobilize means of offering aid to the citizens of Ukraine. Surely. Somehow.
But there is so much we don’t know. Outcomes we can’t foresee. And that causes anxiety. The handwringing worry that can rob us of the freedom to live our lives in peace.
We wonder why something like this is happening, and we sit in front of the TV watching news to try to understand, or we scour the internet. In a situation like this — when a world leader doesn’t share our values — there can only be theories as to why he’s doing this. We may or may not guess his motives. Or how far he’ll go. But we’re feeling anxiety about Ukraine… and feel helpless to change the situation.
It’s safe to say that we’re probably all horrified at what we’ve heard and watched and read about Putin’s attacks on Ukraine this past couple weeks. Unprovoked attacks on the peaceful people of that country has probably made you wonder how this could happen…to try to make sense of it.
And to worry what all this might lead to? Broader acts of war in more of the world? Genocide is already happening. How much worse will it get? It’s also so hard to watch something so heinous being imposed on innocent people. Of course you’re feeling anxiety about Ukraine.
But if worry, anxiety, and fear dominate your mind and mine, they can rob our ability to help others.
In the midst of it, you still have to live your life, take care of yourself and your family.
Too much much worry can backfire.
We’ve dedicated our lives to the prevention and treatment of suffering—however we find it. For some people ketamine can provide relief—when their nightmares kick up… when they can’t sleep because new trauma activates old trauma … when they sit glued to their news apps, the TV, Sirius.
So let’s talk about how you can be better for those closest to you. It doesn’t mean we forget what Ukrainians are going through. It just means giving yourself breaks from the TV and internet — and perhaps from the inappropriate guilt you feel because you’re safe and surviving — and maybe just go outside for a little while, go for a walk…. bake or barbecue something for your family.
Breathe.
Find ways to seek balance emotionally when you’re feeling so bombarded with a despot’s unthinkable crimes.
When there are opportunities to send aid to the people there, do that for them. Participate in drives for the people of Ukraine when you see an opportunity. Do something today that is meaningful and purposeful.
Acute anxiety about the war can lead to other serious conditions. It can also make your symptoms worse if you already suffer from past trauma with PTSD, for instance. Brooding and obsessing about the war can cause your anxiety to rise.
In fact, even if you’ve never experienced anxiety before, you may be feeling it now for the first time with symptoms like worry, brooding, a rapid heart rate and perspiration that can actually be bad enough to feel like you’re having a heart attack.
What we need in the face of what is going on is resilience, hope, strength, a sense of belonging, a sense that we are not alone, and a generosity of spirit that will give us the courage to do the right thing.
Our heart goes out to innocent people and their families in Ukraine and everywhere where there is suffering.
When you think about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, feeling horrified is palpable. But what if you find yourself growing angry, worrying about what will happen next, whether WW3 is around the corner…just feeling so helpless? What if you have loops of worry spinning around in your mind?
If you have anxiety that is off the charts, and nothing you’ve tried has helped, call us.
The IV ketamine treatment we offer can be a game-changer for you — even when the world is turning upside down. It can give you the power to think productive thoughts that aren’t so dominated by anxiety and fear. It’s remarkable, even extraordinary, what IV ketamine treatment can do for some types of anxiety… for depression… for hopelessness.
We have to be careful and make sure we’re clear: not all the time and not for everyone. But for MOST of the people we see.
We want you to enjoy the freedom to live your life, free of crippling fear, or handwringing worry. After all… you have good things still left to do — for your family and in your life.
Let’s work together to make your life better for you.
To the restoration of your best self,
