COVID-19 and the Closet Monster
by Aspen Lawler
Back in August of this year, 2020, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a very important article discussing the necessity to address some of the pertinent mental strains and effects due to COVID-19, and pandemics in general. A very important point that NEJM makes in this publication is that mental health is just as important as physical health symptoms and must be addressed accordingly. In this regard, health care providers have just as much an obligation to address such issues as they do any news on the pandemic.
“Uncertain prognosis, looming severe shortages of resources for testing and treatment and for protecting responders and health care providers from infection, imposition of unfamiliar public health measures that infringe on personal freedoms, large and growing financial losses, and conflicting messages from authorities are among the major stressors that undoubtedly will contribute to widespread emotional distress and increased risk for psychiatric illness associated with Covid-19” (Pfefferbaum, North 1). One of the reasons for this is in order to avoid the “Closet Monster,” as I will call it and the ways that individuals may attempt to get him back where he belongs- I will explain this more shortly.
What I refer to as the “Closet Monster” is an emotional sensation that comes out as a reactionary and involuntary response to stressors, and is especially pronounced when these stressors are intense and/or long-lasting — especially when caused by the daily news and media. Common responses to extreme stressors can consist of rebellion (or non-compliance potentially in regards to health guidelines), excessive substance use, or even psychiatric conditions. Not only are these common reactions to such stressors, but even the amplification of pre-existing mental health and what that may manifest: “extensive research in disaster mental health has established that emotional distress is ubiquitous in affected populations — a finding certain to be echoed in populations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic” according to doctor Pfefferbaum.
While fear of a life-threatening virus does not meet the requirements of a PTSD-causing variable, Pfefferbaum documents that the most common effects are depressive and anxiety disorders, or the exasperation of such pre-existing disorders. — This is amplified for those with health conditions that make them more susceptible to contracting the virus or especially when at a greater risk of mortality from it. This risk posed to mental health is certainly extended to health care providers.
Other outcomes such as financial disparity (loss of hours or even employment), isolation or lack of social support/interaction have been linked to stress, depression, irritability, insomnia, fear, confusion, anger, frustration, boredom, and stigma associated with quarantine, all factors that may and have perpetuated the issue: many cannot handle such a halt in their habits and the effects of stress and boredom and choose to go against the grain in response. We see this in those that gather in large numbers far beyond CDC guidelines, or even keeping businesses open against guidelines and other such tactics such as a rebellion against using a mask. While perpetuating the problem is certainly counterproductive, we can gain valuable insight as to how and why it happens, especially when looking at the studies of “Rat Park.”
Through the 1970s, Dr Bruce Alexander and his colleagues divided rats into 2 separate living situations: half of the rats lived individually in cells, void of a social life, entertainment, or very much space to move around in. The other half of the rats were to occupy what the scientists called “Rat Park,” a sort of ‘perfect’ place to live with beyond adequate living conditions for the rats — the walls were painted to represent a lush forest, the ground covered in plant matter to burrow and play in, wheels to run in, and of course lots of space and other comrade rats to interact with. What the scientists found in the Rat Park experiments were that the Rats in Rat Park were far less likely to drink from an opium-laced water supplement even when the scientists had already introduced a dependence on the opium to both the caged and free rats. In fact, the rats in Rat Park chose to experience withdrawal symptoms over taking the opium water.
The caged rats, however, chose the opposite. On what the scientists called “choice days,” where the rats could choose between water or opium-water, the caged rats almost always drank themselves into daze with the opium water.
The findings from Rat Park give us valuable insight into the potential effects of COVID, especially when speaking in regards to quarantine: because most societies and cultures are built around social interaction (face-to-face), interpersonal relationships, and the freedom to roam around in the world they know, being limited to their home and limited even when leaving their home clearly creates a cage for many, a cage that can promote substance use and other mental illness, a cage that releases the Closet Monster.
However, it’s important to ask what can actually be done about all of this, and the answer is very individually-based, yet collective and institutionally driven. We must ultimately seek to keep ourselves convinced that the world is our park, and not our cage. This can be done in many ways, and mostly comes down to what makes the world feel like a cage. If we are limited to the same activities every day, no challenge on our abilities or comfort zones, and no new information or positive interactions being introduced into our lives, we are certainly not living in a park.
For those that benefit greatly from social interaction, there are resources such as Zoom, Facetime, and Skype for video chats, a multitude of online chat rooms, and of course the 6-person per group limit implying it’s still entirely fine to mask up and go for a walk with some friends. For those that need even more social interaction, plan a trip away from the city with some friends, grab a hotel, AirBnb, or even go camping! For those that need to stay motivated and active, many gyms such as planet fitness pride themselves on the efforts they go to in order to ensure a safe and valuable time getting exercise. Borrow a bike or purchase one (cheap on craigslist!) and go for a daily ride (don’t forget your mask).
There are many jobs that would absolutely love the extra help for those that would rather ride solo but not stay home. The impact could be great if you were to stay at a job like this as the employees and boss saw your motivation to work even through a pandemic (stay away from this option and the gym if you are worried about your health due to pre-existing conditions).
Exercising is a great way of burning cortisol, the stress hormone, and walks are scientifically proven to improve mood or well-being as well as the valuable health benefits.
If you are more of a stay-at-home person and are stressing due to the state of the world, it’s never too late to mask up and grab some new hobby materials: art supplies for painting, knitting, drawing, sculpting, crafting, and so on! Many even get thrift clothes and great DIY clothes or garments with them.
If you fear going into public in general, there are many great marketplaces online to shop for clothes, accessories and other hobby/entertainment materials. With so much extra time at home, there is a world of new ideas and options to explore at our disposal.
Give something new a shot, escape that cage without putting yourself at any greater risk, and put that monster back in the closet.
