You are no longer required to wear masks. You can now gather in large crowds to attend sporting events, concerts and graduation ceremonies. You no longer have to stay six feet apart. And you can travel freely without worrying about travel restrictions. While most people have rejoiced and gone back to normal life as if we didn’t spend the past three years in a pandemic, those with weaker immune systems have found that it isn’t as easy to return to normal.
Of course, vaccines are still the greatest line of protection, but what happens when your body can’t create as many antibodies and those that aren’t immunocompromised are no longer heavily practicing safety precautions?
“Now, with COVID being less prevalent, and with many people being vaccinated, all those extra protective measures are becoming an individual choice,” says Justin Yopp, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for the UNC Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at N.C. Cancer Hospital and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UNC School of Medicine. “But when you are immunocompromised, you may have the disconcerting feeling that others are not as concerned about the virus as you are.”
If you are struggling to find your way back to normal, Dr. Yopp offers the following advice for protecting your physical and mental health.
RELATED: Immunocompromised? 8 Ways to Up Your COVID Defenses
Find Your Risk Tolerance
What you choose to do to protect yourself is solely your choice. If you are not sure what’s best, Dr. Yopp advises considering your risk tolerance.
“What, for you, are healthy, ‘normal’ steps to live your life while exposing yourself to a potentially life-threatening virus?” he says.
You don’t want to completely isolate yourself from the world, but you also don’t want to jump back in like the pandemic never happened. What is the middle ground for you? Avoid focusing on what everyone else is doing and think about finding your new normal.
This can look like continuing to wear masks in public, continuing to practice social distancing and avoiding large crowds. Or you may decide to attend certain special events like a family wedding with extra precautions.
You May Also Like
The important thing to remember, Dr. Yopp says is that there is no right answer, only what works for you.
If you are still unsure what you should do, your doctor can help you figure out what’s right for you, Dr. Yopp adds.
Talk to Your Doctor About the Risks and Benefits of Going Out
And while you’re talking to your doctor, discussing the risks and benefits of going out can be beneficial.
“I’d urge people who are immunocompromised to have an honest discussion with their doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse navigator about how cautious they need to be,” Dr. Yopp shares. “Find out what they recommend. It may be that your doctor doesn’t think some activities are as risky as you might fear.”
For example, you may not be comfortable in a large crowd but may consider a small group gathering instead.
“Don’t restrict yourself to always thinking ‘I can’t,’” he says. “Find spots where it feels safe enough to take calculated risks.”
RELATED: What the End of the COVID Emergency Means if You’re Immunocompromised
Work with Your Child’s Pediatrician to Balance Physical and Mental Health
Adults aren’t the only ones facing the physical and mental health challenges of being immunocompromised. As a parent of an immunocompromised child, you may find it challenging to allow your child to have fun while also protecting them.
“As hard-wired as we are to protect ourselves, we’re even more protective of our children,” Dr. Yopp says. “It’s worth noting, though, that there is an increasing mental health crisis among children. No doubt, it predates the pandemic, but it’s been magnified over the past two years.”
He notes the importance of spending time with peers in person as opposed to just through social media or a screen because it helps them learn social and emotional skills. What’s more, having someone to talk to and play with helps a child build self-esteem and creativity.
So, as a parent, what do you do?
Sharing your concerns with your child’s doctor can help. He or she might be able to help you find ways to protect your child while still allowing them to be a normal kid.
“A lot of children have suffered from being so isolated,” Dr. Yopp says. “We don’t want to protect our children so much that we cut them off from socialization opportunities. Talk to your child’s doctor to understand how big the risks might be and what you can do to minimize them and still allow your child time with peers.”
As an immunocompromised individual, it can be challenging to grapple with how ease to your way back into the world, but it can successfully be done. Remember to take your time and consider what works best for you and your family.
If you need further assistance and/or are worried about your risk of COVID-19 infection, talk to your doctor about what you can do to stay safe. He or she can help you find the right solution and balance your mental health needs.
