HealthyThoughts

Covid-19 begun its wave through the world since mid of February. The pandemic scared the people worldwide with its deadly consequences. Death count was higher than the recovery rate till mid of April in India and same situation still prevails in many countries. Globally, symptoms of the virus infection were listed and briefed. But, coronavirus just not effect a human life physically but it transmitted the fear deeper in minds and hearts of individuals.

Psychological thoughts

Stress and anxiety were the predominant emotions observed throughout the pandemic. In a research article of ‘Asian Journal of Psychiatry’, titled ‘Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during Covid-19 pandemic’, it conducted an online survey with 662 respondents. It showed that more than 80% people were preoccupied with the thoughts of Covid-19 and need of mental healthcare was seen. Also, sleep difficulties, paranoia about acquiring viral infection and distress related to social media were reported 12.5%, 37.8% and 36.4% respectively. Frustration, irritability or anger is the second emotional outbreak noticed in people during lockdown along with restlessness or agitation. According to ‘Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’, old adults and people with disabilities are at higher risk of mental health concerns which can present as physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches or cognitive problems.

Mental breakdown reasoning

People were unware of the concept of quarantine and its sudden imposition confused people over what to think and what to do. The most vulnerable group that deal with emotional imbalance are the people dealing with poverty and unemployment. Lockdown with family has made them suffer through issues of domestic violence and sexual abuse. This has paved way to increase in divorce queries and in China, it has already increased by 25%. The young generation is broken as their future dwells in air because the unemployment rate has spiked to 15% in Urban India. While, the students of class 10 and 12 are in the dilemma regarding the conduction of exams. Most importantly, our warriors including doctors, medical workers, police officials and journalists are in the stress to keep the nation healthy and with the worry that they wouldn’t be infected with the same or transmitting it to their families. A study published in ‘The Lancet’ by Aaron Reeves in 2012 estimated that The United States suffered 4,750 excess suicide deaths after the 2008 recession hit. Similarly, the pandemic conditions have posed higher suicidal pressure among men due to shame of financial problems. Also, the risk of suicide has increased eight fold among those who are suffering from pre-existing depression. In case of living alone away from family and friends then loneliness haunts, feeling socially isolated.

Supportive measures

Virtual communication like video chat, phone calls can keep people connected and cease the feeling of distancing. Strategize your mind to acknowledge its own feeling and maintain a routine lifestyle. Seek accurate information about the pandemic and don’t fall prey for fake news. People with pre-existing health conditions should continue their treatment even through lockdown and keep the doctors updated about their wellbeing. Many online therapies are introduced by private health centres like BetterLYF, Manastha and others to address mental health conditions. Especially, digitally-medicated therapy and tele psychiatry techniques can provide first-aid help to suicide victims and save lives by preventing long-term trauma. Community based interventions like ATMIYATA of Maharastra and Gujarat, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) of Tamil Nadu and VISHRAM by Sangath, posted community health works for first line treatment which resulted in fall of depression rate by 22% and prevalence of suicidal thoughts by 51%. Old aged and sick people needn’t stress about their medication as they can place the orders for the same at best medicine app in India,  for easy and free delivery. World Health Organisation has released the guidelines title ‘Coping with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak’ to support psychological aspects of public mental health.

Sometimes too much knowledge about a bad happening can spoil the mental status and even the educated and professional people turn victim to deal with mental health difficulties. There is no accurate evaluated data on the consequences of mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic as it is individual specific which doesn’t have a common medicine unlike physical illness.