Covid’s impact on various Mental Health Issues.

Introduction

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, all of us have been experiencing emotions that have never been experienced before. It is not that there were no pandemics earlier, but the Covid-19 pandemic is on a completely different scale. It has shaken up the world and has had a significant mental health impact on people.

Fear, worry and stress are normal responses to perceived or real challenges especially when faced with uncertainty. Thus, it is undeniably right to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in psychological problems in otherwise mentally healthy people and has worsened the situation in case of those already suffering from major mental health disorders. Let us look into the situation further.

Rationale

Mental health in a pandemic is an extremely important topic for discussion. Every household is now facing problems related to it. There is no denying that there has been a sharp increase in the amount of mental health issues reported throughout the world since the lockdowns started. For some, it has been a slight increase in stress levels and lack of healthy coping mechanisms, while for others it has led to the onset of some severe mental health disorders.

Whether it is the elderly or the children, the rich or the poor, urban or rural residents, almost all have reported that they have faced mental health problems. Thus, it is imperative to educate ourselves about the same and also spread awareness around the same.

Mental Health problems in a pandemic

Anxiety & OCD

In a Pandemic, one anticipates the effects of infectious diseases to manifest as sheer anxiety and panic. The absence of a vaccine or treatment exacerbates it. For example; during a pandemic people who are already suffering with OCD (often characterised as a need for hygiene, germaphobic etc.), may observe an amplification in their obsessions due to the spread of a deadly virus. In some cases, this may even lead to hallucinations.

Stress & Panic

As concerns over the virus grow, due to acute stress, people start exhibiting unprecedented levels of stress stemming from multiple issues like fear, isolation, financial and work related concerns etc. They also fall prey to hoarding, panic buying etc. and become more prone to panic attacks, insomnia, heart palpitations, fatigue, mental breakdowns etc.

Depression

Due to the lockdowns, change in lifestyle, economic stresses, isolation, inability to go out along with a fear of the rising covid cases, people have also reported higher levels of depression. Moreover, all this has increased the severity of those already suffering from depression and in some cases has lead to an increase in the rate of suicide and/or self-harm.

Causes

Lockdown

A major cause of mental health issues in the Pandemic was the lockdown. The inability to go outside, work, meet family/friends, lack of things to do, boredom, work from home etc. increased stress/anxiety levels and also caused loneliness, frustrations etc.

Stigma

The usual stigma around mental health has increased. Stigma around other things has also affected one’s mental health. For example; around healthcare workers, patients of Covid-19, other staff etc. This has lead to prejudices, differential treatment, long working hours and much more, all adding to the existing mental issues.

False Information

Negative media portrayals, false news on social media, lack of information, etc has caused hysteria, panic, stress etc. Moreover, politicisation and blame-game of the issue has resulted in shifting the focus from a person’s ‘actual physical and mental health’.

Emotional Causes

Fears such as those of social distancing, falling ill, losing a loved one as well as feelings of powerlessness, helplessness, boredom, loneliness due to isolation etc, has resulted in people over analysing themselves leading to destructive thought processes and behaviours.

Substance Abuse

Increase of general stress or worry has led to increased substance related problems; thus, triggering mental illnesses. There are cases of increased alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse etc. as a way to escape. Moreover, lack of access to these has resulted in withdrawal symptoms simultaneously leading to

various mental illnesses.

Prevention

Adaptation

It is important for people to handle this situation constructively by adapting to it by learning ways to work from home, seeking digital alternatives, staying calm/organised, being busy by finding leisure activities and seeking help when required. Journaling, engaging in fun activities, meditation & yoga, seeking online consultations or using helpline numbers, educating ourselves over various issues and spreading that information etc. are also some adaptive ways to keep ourselves healthy.

Minding our own minds

This strategy is important to reduce stigma and increase empathy, especially for the covid patients, migrants, healthcare workers etc. It is also important to pay attention to warning signs, symptoms of mental health problems in others, signs of distress etc.

Knowledge

It’s important to only believe in the right information from genuine sources, not resort to panic buying, spreading rumours or false information on various online platforms. Moreover, one should proactively share genuine, important information.

Healthy Communication

The major cause of mental illness is the repression of feelings and thoughts. Thus, it is important to keep communication lines open especially with loved ones, regularly check up on them, confide in them or even professionals.

Positivity

It is perhaps a major tool to reduce the onset or worsening of mental illnesses. Spreading positivity, having optimism, engaging in community service and various mental health programmes etc can help keep one’s mental health in check.

Conclusion

Mental Health issues following the COVID-19 Pandemic stem from “normal” people being exposed to “extraordinary situations.” Having a variety of causes and requiring many different mitigation strategies, these affect different people differently. Hence, our role is to understand and educate ourselves as well as share this information with as many people as possible in order to bring light and awareness to this pressing issue of our lives.

✏️: @ishani_jaiswal

🎨: @charvie_benz