With the sun about to set in 2020 in a month’s time, to consider what the year left behind as an aftermath of the pandemic COVID-19 is already taking space in most of the journals and publications that have started their rap-up.
Quoting Lancet, a medical science journal, and World Health Organisations’ (WHO) report of a survey of the impact of COVID-19 — its maximum impact is on the mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) services in more than 130 WHO member states.
This is the report with increasing evidence that the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has left colossal effects on the mental health and wellbeing of people all over the globe. The concern remains grave, WHO is also unclear on how the world is likely to deal with this looming mental health crisis on account of the pandemic that grew bigger.
Historic reasons for panic amongst people affecting mental state
The panic among people remains evidence-based. There have been historical examples showing the detrimental impact such pandemics can have on mental health.
Not so long ago, the Ebola virus disease (EVD) raised a similar widespread panic of depressed mood, anxiety and stress when friends, relatives and colleagues were severely affected by the disease leading to their deaths.
Patients thronged hospitals with acute respiratory syndrome. Doctors reported 33–42% of patients admitted suffered depressed mood, impaired memory, insomnia and anxiety. COVID-19 witnesses similar history!
Emerging evidence from WHO suggests COVID-19 could have direct neurological consequences, affecting the mental and psychological wellbeing of individuals.
Impact of COVID-19 on work-loss lead stress
The pandemic has not left all people affected. People with salaried jobs are less likely to be affected than those with their daily wages.
And this percentage constitutes a substantial amount of the workforce worldwide. Frontline workers have had similar dilemmas. They experienced increased workload, therefore trauma, stress, burnout, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mental health under normal circumstances is imperative. And in crucial circumstances, such as the COVID-19, doctors suggest poor mental health could increase susceptibility to infection and transmission of the virus. And the importance of physical distancing and hand hygiene became the essential way of existence.
Mental health has always been a matter of concern
The WHO study stated mental health conditions before COVID-19 already constituted 13% of the global burden of disease. The reasons stated are underinvestment in mental health in low-income countries increased vulnerability further affected by the pandemic in 2020.
The mental state depends on the ability to respond
The ability to respond to the mental situation is largely dependent on the ability to respond to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This requires the development of effective vaccines and treatments.
- It needs strictly following the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) which include schools and workplace closure, ban on collecting in public places followed in many countries even now as the third phase of the COVID affected people, beginning last month.
- A focus should also be made on the most vulnerable.
- The study of neurological disorders has also been reported on senior citizens post the pandemic.
Most relevant psychological reactions to COVID-19 infection
- Uncontrolled fears related to infection
- Pervasive anxiety
- Frustration and boredom
- Disabling loneliness
- Risk factors like Alexithymia
- Social isolation related to restrictions and lockdown
Here are some of the handy tips likely to prove fruitful!
Despite the stress and distress, COVID-19 has left its impact on, a few measures followed bails you out of the baneful conditions if rightfully followed. And they are:
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Keep yourself adequately informed
Follow instructions released from national authorities, they are in league with the development worldwide. Also, keep yourself updated with local recommendations from authorities.
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Keep a routine as much as possible and follow
Keep up with personal hygiene, and healthy fluids intake. An increased healthy diet at regular intervals with regular exercise and steam inhalation every time out of home help.
However, avoid alcohol and drugs as a way of dealing with fear, anxiety, boredom and social isolation.
Keep regular sleeping hours for resting. Most importantly, make time for doing things you enjoy to feel peaceful within despite witnessing difficult times mentally stressed. And for more on good health seek assignment help online.
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A BIG NO to too much of Coronavirus news!
You must be up-to-date with the latest news and stats regarding COVID-19, but too much of it can cause harm to the peace of your mind. Avoid too much screen sharing on mobiles and TVs.
- Focus on what you have always wanted to do
If you are out of work or during the scenarios of being isolated from your social network, the negative thoughts seem never-ending. It is only YOU who can break the cycle by adding something meaningful to your life. Probably, there’s a certain hobby that you always wanted to learn, but couldn’t due to face pace life. It may be something like singing or learning a musical instrument, or cooking, etc.? Go for it, this is the time!
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Most importantly help others
A great reassurance is achieved by helping others in pandemic times. Follow that and see your world change. Give support to the community as a health worker, believe me, it works!
In such times as the pandemic, fear is a normal reaction to uncertainty. But sometimes fear is expressed in ways which are hurtful to other people so never deter from being kind during this stage and build your resilience, the only sane way to stay.
Conclusion
To maintain resilience and support the psychologically vulnerable is the need of the hour, as the support extended during the COVID-19 crisis is fundamental for any community. Before banking on any decision, a deep study on the spread of pandemic needs to be recognized on a priority basis.
These endeavors are not high based drama but an effort to reduce the burden of the disease and the dramatic mental health consequences on all almost across nations.