Pandemic Exacerbating Anxiety & Depression

Pandemic Exacerbating Anxiety & Depression in Some - Appraisers Blogs

Medical professionals who understand human psyche have been sounding alarms about personal actions relating to how this pandemic is being managed…

Folks, this was tough to write, but it’s important. Yes, that’s my opinion!

The current state of affairs in this country, and globally, is the worst we humans have seen in generations. Most of us were not alive during the last major pandemic in the early 1900’s, or even during WWII, when living situations were very trying for many people.

In later years, pandemics have occurred, but governments’ reactions and actions to those were much more mild as compared to this one. You can read more about those here.

The pandemic we are in now is unprecedented in modern history. Due to governmental inactions, and actions, the devastation to humans and world-wide economies will last many more years.

This pandemic, and the way it is being managed, is affecting people and relationships in profound ways. Many very adversely.

I write this because for about the last decade or so, I’ve had a very nice, respectful, even joyful relationship with another appraiser. I learn from that appraiser and appreciate the dialogue and experiences we’ve shared.

Not long ago, I wrote an essay concerning appraiser conduct involving an aspect of our work. Over the course of several days, the appraiser acquaintance has ‘come unglued’ as the expression goes about my opinion and choice of words, and I’m very concerned. The desire to just not be able to move on appears obsessive to me.

In that essay I used one strong word, based on my opinion, which does not appear in any of the requirements or guidelines appraisers must follow. I used that word to make a point because too many appraisers want to make excuses why the written requirements and guidelines can’t or won’t be followed. That bothers me, from an ethical standpoint. My point was to encourage appraisers to pay attention to the assignment SOW, additional assignment conditions that go beyond USPAP, and other expectations clients want to see in our reports. My other point was to say that ‘new technology’ being promoted by several companies is not appropriate to use in all assignments.

I enjoy respectful discussions. Dialogue helps greatly. I learn from it. But sometimes responders and I will just have to ‘respectfully disagree.’ However, when verbiage turns to name calling due to frustration because of a single word disagreement, it causes me to really ponder the circumstance. I believe our current pandemic situation may be exacerbating the underlying causation of the glue-pot explosion the appraiser has exhibited.

Medical professionals who understand human psyche have been sounding alarms about personal actions relating to how this pandemic is being managed, or not managed well, depending on your point of view. People are becoming more and more frustrated, spouse/partner and child abuse is on the rise. Burglaries, robberies, thefts and other crimes are beginning to increase. Incomes have been destroyed. Businesses have been upended. Relationships have suffered. People have become more desperate as governments have turned normal society nearly into martial law, restricting normal freedoms. If things don’t change, and we don’t get back to ‘normal’ relatively quickly, attempts or actual suicides will also rise. Chaos amongst the population will manifest itself.

Appraisers, as a general statement, tend to be loners in our profession. Few appraisers take time to associate with peers in formal or informal settings. Which is a shame, because some of the nicest people you’ll meet are your peers. They are not your enemy. Make an effort NOW to meet and get to know appraisers in your area. You won’t regret it.

On a related personal note, I have a “sista from anotha motha” because I made an effort to be helpful to another appraiser 1,300 miles away when we ‘met’ on a web forum. That turned into meeting in person to attend a live CE class together, and has evolved into a wonderful brother/sister relationship over the past dozen or so years.

I was moved to write this because I really do care about the appraiser whose glue-pot is boiling. And I’m concerned about other appraisers who may not really understand how their moods, emotions and expressions may be manifesting adverse behavior within themselves, and with others around them, due to the exterior pressures we are enduring.

One word of disagreement, or some other basically silly issue, should not be the catalyst to blow a hole in an otherwise healthy and enjoyable relationship.

It’s important that all of us pay close attention to our activity and mental state on all levels. The ‘perceived normal’ at the moment actually may not be. Anxiety, irritability, obsessiveness and depression are devastating to humans.

Please be careful, talk to appropriate professionals if things are tilting, and stay well.

Dave Towne
Latest posts by Dave Towne (see all)
Image credit flickr - Lorie Shaull
Dave Towne

Dave Towne

AGA, MNAA, Accredited Green Appraiser - Licensed in WA State since 2003. Dave Towne on e-AppraisersDirectory.com

You may also like...

8 Responses

  1. Avatar Jack Of All Trades says:

    More like Residential Appraising Exacerbating Anxiety & Depression…… nevertheless Dave good mention for covid 19 aka wuhan virus

    5
  2. Avatar Randall R. Davis says:

    Very appropriate and discretely written.

    As we become “cave-people” during this trying time it would be wise of us to read the writings etched on the walls by our predecessors. We must beset ourselves to remember our current possibly life-altering experiences as an adventure: An undertaking with an uncertain outcome. With an open mind, we can learn from our adventures to make us stronger for the future by the survival of our individual and personal short-comings. Our current adventure, be it the start, middle, or near the end, should give all of us the knowledge that life is not the continuous and relatively smooth road we have experienced and that bumps, dips, curves, and washouts should be expected. My cave wall quips include “Anticipate with optimism, not pessimism”, “It’s wiser to know than to suppose” and finally, “facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored”.

    3
    • Avatar Bill Johnson says:

      Don’t forget “Seek the truth” , or “I’ve learned more from those who disagrees with me compared to those who agree with me” Randall.

      No cave is complete without such teachings.

      Almost forgot, as the coach would say “Go make up a value”.

      Seek the truth.

      2
  3. Avatar Julio E. Sune Jr. says:

    Very good words…..Thank you

    1
  4. Avatar Julio E. Sune Jr. says:

    We are at WAR with COVID-19, an unseen and misterious enemy. The time has come to end all partisanship in dealing with this “enemy”. United we stand, devided we fall…..

    Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood. [George S. Patton]

    Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable. [George S. Patton]

    1
  5. Avatar Koma says:

    Thanks Dave for your opinion and Thanks to AB for allowing us to express those opinions amongst our fellow Appraisers. I know we’ll be doing classes online for sometime, but I can’t wait to get back in there with my fellow Appraisers and be able to discuss things with people who know what I’m talking about.

    Stay Safe/Stay Healthy!

    1
  6. Avatar Julio E. Sune Jr. says:

    21 Bible Verses That Remind Us We Are Never Alone
    “Be strong. Be brave. Be fearless. You are never alone.” – Joshua 1:9

    AUTHOR: Peyton Nicole Smith Taylor University Apr 28, 2016

    1. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”
    Isiah 30:21
    2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
    Jeremiah 29:11
    3. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
    Philippians 4:13
    4. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith.”
    1 John 5:4
    5. “God is with you – wherever you may go and no matter what life brings.”
    Joshua 1:9
    6. “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
    Proverbs 31:25
    7. “I loved you at your darkest.”
    Romans 5:8
    8. “Under His wings you will find refuge.”
    Psalm 91:
    9. “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”
    1 Corinthians 15:10
    10. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.”
    Proverbs 3:5-6
    11. “You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
    Psalm 139:14
    12. “Be strong. Be brave. Be fearless. You are never alone.”
    Joshua 1:9
    13. “Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you.”
    Psalm 93:4
    14. “Perhaps this is the moment for which you’ve been created.”
    Esther 4:14
    15. “I am complete in Him.”
    Colossians 2:10
    16. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love.”
    Psalm 143:8
    17. “You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.”
    Romans 5:6
    18. “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”
    Exodus 14:14
    19. “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
    Joshua 1:5
    20. “You are altogether beautiful my darling, beautiful in every way.”
    Song of Songs 4:7
    21. “Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.”
    Ephesian 2:19-22

    3
  7. Avatar ej says:

    For the GSEs, the AMC mafia, the corrupt Lenders, the data thieves (i.e., CoreLogic /Appraisal port) filth like the Appraisal Foundation (who are nothing more than political hacks making a fortune for themselves while the profession dies), It’s Business as usual. All this is happening because of **Sin**. And it is only the beginning.

    5

Leave a Reply

We welcome critical posts & opposing points of view. We value robust & civil discourse. You may openly disagree, but state your case in an atmosphere of mutual respect, in which everyone has a right to a particular view about the topic of conversation. Please keep remarks about the topic at hand, & PLEASE avoid personal attacks. If the poster gets you upset, it is the Internet, you can walk away from it.

Personal attacks harm the collegial atmosphere we encourage on AppraisersBlogs.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

xml sitemap

Pandemic Exacerbating Anxiety & Depression

by Dave Towne time to read: 3 min
blank
blank
8
blank