How lock down has unleashed depression
In the past three months, the world has changed radically. Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a terribly large number of human lives gone. Many countries around the globe have implemented lockdown and social distancing techniques to stop the spread of the virus. These practices have unleashed depression and anxiety.
"As many parts of the world are only just beginning to go into lockdown, we examined the impact of the one-month long lockdown on people's health, distress and life satisfaction," said Dr Zhang.
Social isolation, job insecurities, grief, and the unpleasant depressive environment in pandemic crisis has caused psychological problems such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, excessive alcohol consumption, psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand and the UK are now suffering all those things at the same time.
An event like this has not been studied or experienced before, thus researchers are not sure what will happen but are worried.
Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto says “The anguish in staying home” intensifies; a rising suicide rate may follow, as history has seen before.”
COVID-19 news
Reading and watching the news about coronavirus, becomes the origin for some people to bother over whether they will get infected by the virus. There has been a visible growth in the number of patients looking for help to deal with panic attacks, anxiety and depression.
A recent study from Wuhan showed that 54% of people had significant stress and about 17% of people had signs of clinical depression.
Loneliness
Loneliness is meant to be the worst enemy of people, especially with pre-existing mental health issues. People with anxiety disorders and depression have been hit hard by the lockdown. People diagnosed with anxiety show signs of restlessness, excessive worrying, apprehension, panic and disturbing thoughts, along with other physical symptoms such as sleeplessness, palpitations and nausea. Such symptoms are heightened because of the uncertainty and anticipation of future calamities.
Hyper-Vigilant OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
COVID-19 situation has activated and worsened obsessive-compulsive disorder. People are going overboard with cleaning. They keep washing hands; sanitize door handles and clean grocery. People with obsessive-compulsive tendencies have become hyper-vigilant. In an effort to control the consequence, they have become highly watchful and guarded of their environments.
One thing is for sure, that COVID-19 shall change our lives forever. Lockdown and isolation could be a preface to what the future holds. It is time that we learn to adapt to a new world where social distancing and digital learning are becoming the norm.
