There is no denying that many lives have been negatively impacted since the beginning of the lockdown in March. The world has seen drastic economic and social change, and we may not be able to recover anytime soon.
Feelings of hopelessness and despair have taken over the hearts of many, along with the belief that this horrible reality will remain for years to come. Individuals across the world have been affected by this, which can result in a loss of motivation and hope for the future. A major effect has been seen on our mental health, whether it’s the exacerbation of pre-existing mental issues or the development of new ones. Isolation and financial stress are a recipe for a mental health crisis.
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Recently, news reports have shown that depressive symptoms in the US have tripled during these hard times, showing how hard many have been hit by this pandemic. According to a study by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, those most at risk were individuals with little to no social resources. The report indicated that people that had less than $5,000 in savings and experienced recent job loss due to COVID-19 were most susceptible to mental health issues. The study explains that this issue is not only a mental health issue, but a public health issue that needs to be addressed to minimize the risk of depression and anxiety. MMWR also explained that marginalized groups are at a higher risk, with Black individuals experiencing more mental health difficulties than their White and Asian counterparts.
Along with various mental health disorders, substance abuse has also increased as the pandemic started. Research from Market Watch has shown that at one point during the lockdown, alcohol sales were up 250%. Substance abuse is a way to cope with negative feelings and experiences, which many have endured for the past six months. Those with pre-existing addictions suffered as well, with the lockdown disrupting their treatment plans. Unemployment and isolation due to the lockdown can cause serious psychological distress.
With so much time on our hands, mental disorders like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) can be intensified. BDD is a disorder akin to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, where intrusive thoughts about one’s appearance -in many cases, a perceived flaw- is a major life preoccupation. A symptom of BDD is staring at one’s self for hours in the mirror, and staying home feeds into this. According to foxbusiness.com, people with BDD may experience heightened stress due to zoom calls or other forms of video calls, where it is harder for them to avoid looking at themselves. It can also be harmful for those who actively try to avoid seeing their appearance in general, but are forced to see themselves, making their BDD flare up horribly.
Another mental disorder that can be worsened by the lockdown is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by irrational fear of social interaction, thus leading to the avoidance of such situations. Social distancing and quarantine reinforces this behavior and can leave socially anxious individuals home with no reason to interact with others, keeping them in their own bubble. For many individuals with social anxiety, the disruption of their daily lives included the discontinuance of the few social interactions that were helping them get better.
Many of us have been affected by the pandemic, and it is easy to believe that this global catastrophe is something that may never end. If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or hopeless because of this situation, remember, you are not alone and help is there for you.
New York has a free, confidential helpline as part of the FEMA response to COVID-19. Call 1-844-863-9314 or visit nyprojecthope.org.
