How to deal with pandemic anxiety, depression and loneliness

The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic led to increased substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and trauma-related disorders.

Vaccines are being rolled out in the United States, but the vaccines seem to be slow to administer and, in some cases, not in sequence. necessary..The federal government doesn’t seem to order Sufficient Vaccine doses, and Pfizer, report that millions of vaccine doses are still sitting in warehouses ready for distribution.

Therefore, since the Covid-19 pandemic first began, the first seen as a relief from the chronic stress that many have felt is now just another guideline for the ongoing fight against the virus. is.

The pandemic has caused dramatic changes in mental health. Probably a bigger change than expected. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Research 13.3% of respondents conducted in June 2020 reported increased substance use to address the stress and emotions of a pandemic. In the last 30 days, 10.7% of respondents said they took suicide seriously, double that of 2018.adult 18-24 years old Among the age groups, the highest percentage of serious consideration of suicide was 25.5%. That age group also had the highest rate of reporting adverse symptoms of at least one mental health, at 74.9%. The incidence of anxiety disorder symptoms was three times higher than in the second quarter of 2019, and the incidence of depression symptoms was four times higher.

Solitude is major Risk factor For anxiety and depression. It is defined as the difference between the amount of social contact you want and the amount of social contact you feel you are receiving. When being around a person reduces stress, the pandemic and its social isolation can have caused a feeling of loneliness much faster than others who do not have the same social needs.

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What should I do if depression, anxiety, and loneliness become the rules, not the exception during a pandemic?

Ask for help

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, asking for help may be the last thing you want to do. It’s a feature of the problem you’re experiencing — depression and anxiety make you want to isolate yourself. Being able to help you is also the last thing you may want to do.

The majority of mental health professionals conduct treatment sessions via telemedicine. You can talk to someone from the comfort of your own home. If you’re isolated and need additional support, you can ask a trusted friend or family member to participate in Video Hangouts.You are eligible for counseling services at Free of charge..

If you have suicidal ideation National suicide prevention lifeline Call them on their site or 1-800-273-8255. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Remember that it is temporary

The pandemic lasts longer than many of us expected and will continue until 2021. But there is a time when it ends. There’s a new normal — it looks different from the previous Covid-19, but it’s more bearable than it is now. Unfortunately, that is not our preferred time schedule. We have been in chronic stress for almost a year. Even if you feel like there is no end, your feelings are temporary. Things will get better.

It doesn’t have to be okay

If you feel angry, it’s completely acceptable and understandable. You may even have feelings of anger that rarely subside. You may have lost your loved ones, and you couldn’t give them a proper farewell. The idea that your loved one dies alone can be crushed. The first time you experience a deep level of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, or depression, it can feel scary. You may be blaming yourself for not feeling well. It is perfectly normal and acceptable to feel that things are out of control. You may be feeling different emotions at once. We have been in chronic stress for nearly a year and in addition you are suffering personal losses. No one should expect you to look happy.

Practice self-compassion

It’s time to treat yourself as if you were your own best friend. You may be responsible or guilty about something that isn’t really your fault. What do you do to feel yourself? Maybe it’s connecting with friends via video. Maybe it’s spending time with pets. When you’re feeling sick or at stake, it’s easy to forget what you can do to practice self-care. Make a list of quick things you can do to calm yourself — “Psychological First Aid Kit”. Save the list on your mobile phone and post the version in the fridge or bathroom mirror. You need to make sure that there are ways to help relieve tension, even for a short period of time.