CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being
during Emerging Infectious Disease
Outbreaks: A Guide for Clinicians
As our world becomes
medical and mental healthincreasingly interconnected, theclinicians are likely to encounter
Especially in the early stages of an
potential for rapid and far-reaching
patients who are experiencing
emerging infectious disease outbreak, there
spread of new infectious diseases isvarious levels of emotional distressis frequently a great deal of uncertainty
a growing threat. Especially in theabout the outbreak and its impact
early stages of an emerging infectious
on them, their families, and theirabout the nature of the disease, its spread,disease outbreak, there is frequently
communities. Providers should
scope, and impact.
a great deal of uncertainty about
acknowledge uncertainty about
the nature of the disease, its spread,emerging diseases and help patients
scope, and impact. This may lead tounderstand that there is often an
significant and understandable emotional distress, evenemotional component to potential health concerns.
among those who have not been, and don’t know if theyIn addition, providers should consider the following
will be, directly exposed to the disease.
recommendations for promoting patients’ mental wellDuring emerging infectious disease outbreaks, bothbeing during emerging infectious disease outbreaks:
1. Stay informed. Obtain the latest information about theoutbreak from credible public health resources, such as
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
in order to provide accurate information to yourpatients.
2. Educate. As healthcare providers are on the front lines
of medical intervention and in a position to influencepatient behaviors for protecting individual, family, andpublic health, patient education plays a critical role inboth containing the disease and mitigating emotional
distress during outbreaks. Depending on the nature of
the outbreak, this can range from education about basic
hygiene such as hand-washing and cough etiquetteto more complex medical recommendations forprevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Let patients knowwhat you, your office, or your organization is doing toreduce the risk of exposure.
3. Correct misinformation. In this age of social media,
misinformation can spread quickly and easily, causing
unnecessary alarm. If patients present you withinformation related to the outbreak that you believe to
be inaccurate, correct their misconceptions and direct
them to vetted public health resources.

4. Limit media exposure. Today’s 24-hour news cycle canmake it difficult to turn away from the TV, radio, ornews feed, but research has shown that excessive media
exposure to coverage of stressful events can result innegative mental health outcomes. Use trusted media
outlets to gather the information you need, then turnthem off—and advise your patients to do the same.
5. Anticipate and counsel about stress reactions.
Emotional distress is common in the context ofuncertain and potentially life-threatening situations,such as outbreaks.
a. A good first step for mitigating your patients’stress is to acknowledge that it exists and help
normalize it (“I see that you’re stressed, and that’s
understandable. Many people are feeling this wayright now.”)b. Teach patients to recognize the signs of distress,
including worry, fear, insomnia, difficulty
concentrating, interpersonal problems, avoiding
certain situations at work or in daily living,
unexplained physical symptoms, and increased useof alcohol or tobacco. This will help them become
more aware of the state of their mental healthand head off distress before it becomes harder tomanage.
c. Discuss strategies to reduce distress, which caninclude:
i. Being prepared (e.g., developing a personal/		
family preparedness plan for the outbreak).
ii. Taking everyday preventive measures (e.g., 		frequent handwashing and following coughingetiquette).
iii. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise 		regimen.
iv. Talking to loved ones about worries and 		concerns.
v. Engaging in hobbies and activities you enjoy toimprove your mood.
d. If a patient is experiencing severe emotional
distress or has a diagnosable mental illness, refer for
specialized mental health care.

6. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Healthcare
providers are not invulnerable to experiencing theirown emotional distress during outbreaks, and this
distress can be compounded by caring for sick anddistressed patients. Make sure your basic needs are met,including eating, drinking, and sleeping; take a breakwhen you need one; check in with loved ones; practicethe strategies to reduce distress listed above; andmonitor yourself for stress reactions too. Make efforts
to ensure that your office and/or organization has a
viable plan to monitor the course of the outbreak andtake rapid and appropriate action if needed.
Sources of Credible Public Health Information during
Emerging Infectious Disease OutbreaksCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
https://www.cdc.gov/

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org