Common Mental Health Issues During the Pandemic
It’s not just you. We are all battling and it’s okay.
This pandemic has been going on for so long, and it’s far from being over yet. Last year we were on the brink of a global financial crisis and now we are facing a global mental health crisis. This is the first time in history that people have been isolated from society on such an enormous scale. No other disaster has kept humans caged away from each other the way that COVID-19 has.
It began with staying indoors and limiting daily activities. We only ventured out if it was absolutely essential and many of us spent hours sitting in front of a screen. We attended online classes, joined Zoom meetings, FaceTimed loved ones and binge watched our favourite show on Netflix.
Now, as we have transitioned to a new normal, we still wear masks for every occasion. Not only have our habits changed, our minds have changed too. Having spent over a year in this new reality, mental health problems are now also part of the new normal for some. COVID-19 has affected the way we live and the way we think.
Many researchers have been studying the effects of the pandemic on our mental health. Here are some of the common issues that they identified.
Depression
It is easy to feel hopeless during times of crisis. People are away from families, friends, and the usual buzzing way of life. Stress is rocketing and frustration is sky high. An unhealthy lifestyle is crippling the once super-fit routine that lots of people had. It has hampered their mood and many people are having trouble communicating. Isolation, economic unpredictability, and daily strings of bad news are taking a toll on many around the world.
Anxiety
There is news of the death of family members and friends. We never know what news we are going to receive next. It stirs up worry and fear. Consequently, more people feel nervous, irritable and on edge. Many adults and children are having panic attacks due to extended periods at home. There have been reports of people experiencing chills, chest pains, hyperventilation and dizziness due to anxiety.
Addiction
People have been clinging to various things, such as drugs and alcohol, to cope with the pandemic. For some, these crutches that they depended on have turned into addictions. Data from Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP), a surveillance system, shows a 17.59% increase in suspected overdoses following the enactment of stay-at-home orders. An ongoing study of individuals receiving substance abuse treatment shows that 35% of volunteers have relapsed. For many households this has led to unstable living conditions.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Under normal circumstances, washing hands and practicing good hygiene is considered a normal part of a healthy lifestyle. However, due COVID-19, wearing a mask and sanitising everything has turned into an OCD for many. A preoccupation with cleanliness is one of the more common forms of OCD. Individuals who suffer from this disorder have excessive fears related to dirtiness, contamination, viruses, and bacteria. They frequently clean surfaces and wash their hands or other parts of their bodies. The stress of the pandemic has affected everyone. Many people have become obssessed with cleanliness and exisiting OCD sufferers have seen their symptoms worsen during this time.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, causes an extreme fear of social situations. Prior to the pandemic, many people suffered from social anxiety and felt like they were constantly being negatively judged by the world. Approximately 15 million adults in the United States experienced social anxiety each year before COVID-19. During the height of the pandemic, social gatherings were prohibited and interaction between people was limited. After a year-long period of quarantine and isolation, meeting new people and attending social gatherings feels out of the ordinary. As a result, reintegrating back into society has proved to be challenging for many individuals.
These mental health issues existed before the pandemic. But the portion of people affected now is much greater. The constant news of the severity of the pandemic, deaths, and the financial instability caused has taken it’s toll on everyone.
I believe that we should rethink how much information regarding the pandemic we want to consume. Staying informed is important, but constantly absorbing sensationalistic headlines and articles predicting doom and gloom will only fuel negativity and fear.
Let’s shake off the stress by focusing on the meaningful things in life. The things that bring us joy and peace. Let’s make every single moment something to be grateful for.
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