effect of corona virus

How to take care of mental health during corona virus outbreak

We are living a life full of fear due to havoc created by corona virus all over the world.

All out efforts are being made to win the war against this epidemic.

We have been advised to   stop our movement  and to stay indoors so as to break the chain of

epidemic spread.

So many measures have been taken by the   administration .

People are working from  home.

Gathering of people at one place is prohibited.

All kinds of travel modes have been cancelled.

Any kind of function is not to be organised.

That means we are to remain in isolation   till the situation under control.

A paradigm shift is taking place in our lives.

We are forced to adopt social distancing.

There s going to have impact on many areas

we shall elaborate only about psychological impact on our lives.

In a move that would have been unthinkable just months ago, quarantine and social distancing have now become commonplace globally as governments make concerted efforts to fight the spiralling coronavirus outbreak.

The measures, which have seen citizens from the U.S. to India either encouraged or enforced to stay in their homes, are deemed by medical experts as necessary in reducing the spread of the virus. But, the implications for people’s mental wellbeing cannot be overlooked.

A recent study from medical journal The Lancet notes that the psychological impact of quarantine can be great, resulting in a range of mental health concerns from anxiety and anger to sleep disturbances, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Indeed, separate studies of quarantined patients of SARS, a previous coronavirus outbreak in 2003, found between 10% and 29% suffered PTSD.

The Lancet’s report found mental health concerns could be inflamed by stressors associated with quarantine, such as infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, lack of information, financial loss and stigma associated with contracting the disease.

That can be an issue not only for people with pre  existing mental health concerns, but also those in seemingly good psychological health.

Identifying mental health concerns:

The CDC notes that people should look out for signs of distressed mental health in themselves and others. Symptoms may include:

— Fear and worry about your own health

— Changes in sleep or eating patterns

— Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

— Worsening of chronic health problems

— Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Recognizing the problem, the World Health Organization this week released guidance on how people can protect their mental health during the outbreak.

“Humans are social animals,” professor Ian Hickie at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre told CNBC Make It. “Prolonged quarantine or social isolation (without compensatory methods in place) will exacerbate anxiety, depression and a sense of helplessness.”

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What individuals can do

However, as more and more people face the prospects of several weeks of quarantine or social distancing, individuals will also have to establish their own ways of preserving their mental health at home.

CNBC Make It compiled the advice of psychology experts, as well as several health bodies, to find out their top tips:

·                     Create a routine — Change out of your pajamas, shower and make a to-do of all the things you want to achieve each day to create a sense of normality and productivity.

·                     Break up your day — Find tasks to break up your day and, where possible, change your environment for different activities.

·                     Take care of your body — Eat healthily, get plenty of sleep and exercise daily. That could include conducting indoor workout classes, stretching and practicing meditation.

·                     Help others — If you’re not under strict isolation rules yourself, and you’re in a position to do so, find ways to support those in need by offering to run errands and collect supplies for them.

·                     Stay connected — Make the most of technology and stay in touch with colleagues, friends and family via phone calls, texts, social media and video conferencing.

·                     Limit media intake — Stay informed about the situation via reliable sources, but limit your news and social media intake to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

·                     Prepare medical supplies — The National Alliance on Mental Illness advises, where necessary, asking your doctor for extended prescription supplies to tide you over for quarantine periods.

·                     Fight boredom — Make the most of catching up TV series, reading and exploring projects you have been putting off to beat boredom and stay mentally active.

·                     Avoid burnout — Set strict limits to your work to avoid becoming overwhelmed and make time to unwind.

·                     Focus on the positives — Amplify good news stories and honor caregivers working tirelessly to resolve the situation.

·                     Take one day at a time — Try not to project too far into the future. Remember that these are temporary measures and you are not alone.

“My advice?

“Stay in contact with people — virtually — engage in activities that give you pleasure and a sense of meaning, and do what you can to help others, which is a remarkable antidote to depression.”