Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing during Covid-19

Bindu Nair¹, Jaya Mathew²

¹Assistant Professor, Tiruvalla Medical Mission College of Nursing, Kerala.

²Vice Principal, Tiruvalla Medical Mission College of Nursing, Kerala.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: bindu_nair23@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT:

Worldwide COVID-19 pandemic had led to a prolonged stressful condition and bring about more psychological and social effects in the community. This condition is commonly seen in each group and more commonly it has affected in children, older peoples and even the health workers who are exposed and likely to bring about the condition of stress, anxiety, uneasiness and depression. These prolonged psychosocial issues may result in mental health problems and long-term consequence on the mental functioning and coping capacities of family members. The aim of this article is to explain some of the psychosocial impacts, and more is emphasis given in identifying these psychosocial problems and some of the strategies which can be used to overcome these issues.

KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Psychosocial impacts, Psychosocial issues, Behavioral changes, Stressful.

INTRODUCTION:

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 is pandemic and a major health crisis which is affecting worldwide. The calamity generates stress all over the population. Corona virus has been identified as the cause of this pandemic outbreak of respiratory illness and is increasing in numbers and spreading to many countries on day to day. Only way to stay away from this crisis situation is prevention. This disease was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China. It is a family of viruses that range from Common cold to MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Coronavirus and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). The symptoms of Covid -19 are similar to the SARS Epidemic, i.e., fever, cough, dyspnea, direct contact with infected people or contact of hands with contaminated environmental surfaces. Government and medical authorities took many preventive measures such as promoting hand washing, using personal protective equipment’s, quarantine etc.

Adverse psychosocial outcomes like anxiety, depression, overwhelming work pressure, insomnia and post- traumatic stress among common people has increased significantly due to the pandemic itself and also due to constant flow of readily available information and reinforced messaging obtained through online social networking services. These prolonged psychosocial issues may result in mental health problems and long- term consequence on the mental functioning and coping capacities of family members. So much emphasis is given in identifying the psychosocial problems among families.

PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACTS:

Anxiety:

One of the major psychosocial impact is anxiety as the number of cases increasing and media is showing daily new cases as well as death rates occurring in state/world- wide. Any minor symptom of cough or headache in their children is making people anxious. People are more prone to anxiety when their own relatives or neighbors
are been quarantined. Moreover, people are unable to make decision for taking vaccination and in some places shortage of vaccine is another issue.

Depression:

Nowadays depression is as common as any other medical issues like hypertension or diabetes. During covid situation people are more prone to depression as they are facing lot of issues like joblessness, financial loss, inability to full fill their daily needs and death of loved ones. Moreover, individuals facing issues like lack of interest in daily activities or pleasurable activities, feeling of worthlessness or guilty.

Insomnia:

Persistent excessive worry and over whelming emotions about a number of concerns, such as health problems or finances, and a sense of something bad is going to happen is one of the causative factors to develop insomnia. As people are literally locked in their home, they are unable to go for work due to lockdown situations, people are feeling frustrated and restlessness that result in sleep problems.

Lifestyle changes:

Covid crisis has bring about an impact in our daily lifestyle also. Individuals’ health hygiene is matter of concern. People are made aware for strict follow up of hand hygiene, touching here and there is making people anxious whether they develop covid or not. Changes have occurred in many ways like restriction to visit religious places, limited number in family functions or gatherings. As the school and college had shut down there is major impact in students’ career and character development. Moreover, challenges faced by society when government is taking extreme step for travelling.

Financial crisis:

The frequent concern was expressed due to prolonged lockdown situation resulting into economic crisis. People are facing loss of job in various sector. Parents are facing financial crisis to pay their children’s school or college fees. Even though medical treatment and current situation like hike in each grocery items, petrol has brought common people in more stressful condition.

Technology in Use:

Parents are facing another issue where their children are getting addicted to the usage of mobile or other electronic gadgets. In this crisis situation as school colleges were made mandatory to take online classes and students who are less than 10 years of age are also been seen to study through the electronic devices. Continuous use of mobile phones has brought their kids lot of physical effects like eye strains, concentration problems and literally they are facing serious medical issues in their young age itself.

Manifestations to Note:

· Sweating

· Chest tightness

· Lack of concentration

· Increasing heart beat

· Breathing difficulty

· Restlessness

· Stomach disturbances

· Fatigue

· Sadness

· Difficulty in thinking

· A significant increase or decrease in appetite

· Social withdrawal

· Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness

· Pessimism and hopelessness, irritability, loss of interest in once pleasurable activity

· Aches, pains, headaches, or cramps that won't go away

· Suicidal thoughts or attempts

· Difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up during the night hours

· Waking up too early

· Daytime tiredness or sleepiness

· Depression or anxiety

· Difficulty in paying attention, focusing on tasks

· Increased errors or accidents

Stratagies to Overcome the Psychosocial Issues:

The prevention and promotion are the top most priority to overcome the situation. Adequate medical attention to be promoted for the needy individuals. The society need to be educated with the awareness programs through social media and they should be awakened regarding the economic crisis, physical and mental health. Here are some measures which should be followed to tackle the psychosocial issues.

Relief from Anxiety:

First and foremost, we should indulge in certain activities to overcome the anxiety level. Like stay informed but shouldn’t obsessively checking the news or updates related to covid-19 cases, we should stick on to trustworthy sources not on fake news. Making ourself more focused on preventing from disease like frequent washing our hands, avoid touching your face, evade unnecessary outings or crowds and gathering. Take initiate to form new hobbies during home stay and spending time with your family members. Help others or get into the nature if possible and make yourself feeling happy. Moreover, stay connected to others through social media and talk to friends or counsellors in case of unmanaged anxiety or fear. Do physical exercises and not to involve in unhealthy practices to deal with emotional problems.

Relief from Depression:

Modifying the daily routine activities like limiting yourself in watching news and social media, finding ways to stay physically and mentally fit. Eating healthy foods and getting proper rest and sleep can overcome the depression. Moreover, practicing yoga or music therapy in your daily activities will help you to boost up your energy level. Avoiding the alcohol and drugs and maintaining good communication with your near and dear ones will enhance to focus on normal activities.

Relief from Insomnia:

Make sure you have a regular schedule and stick to regular wakeup time and bed time. This help to calm your circadian rhythm. Fix an hour before bed time. That means relaxing in a room with dim lighting and engaging in a non-stimulating activity. Stay away from electronics gadgets, scrolling through your phone or watching shows on your laptop that affect the sleeping. There is evidence that blue light from electronics can impact your circadian rhythm, keeping you wide awake when you’re supposed to be feeling tired. Create the ideal sleeping environment. A dark room and a room temperature somewhere between 60 to 65 degrees consist of the perfect sleeping conditions. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.

IMPROVING THE LIFE STYLE:

· Being active: Staying fit and healthy should be the mantra for each individual during this crisis. Lockdown situations has shut down all gym or other fit centers. So, you should practice fitness in your home itself. By doing simple cardio exercise, acrobatics or yoga that can be practiced successfully in home premises will make you to be active and healthy.

· Healthy Food Consumption: Avoid emotional eating habit when stressed. Never skip your meals and practice to eat healthy food, i.e., consumption of green leafy vegetables, fruits and Vitamin C rich food that will help to improve the immunity. Try to avoid processed or junk food on daily basis.

· Health Check-ups: Individual who are diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or other medical issues should visit the care takers on regular basis. In this pandemic time, as lockdown situations are faced you can utilize the facility of telehealth and take help for the concerned problems. Proper counselling sessions are now available through internet services.

· Stay connected: In this current situation communication is been lacking as people are strictly not allowed to travel or meet their friends even. While being in isolation communicating with your

near and dear ones will help out the individual to overcome the anxiety and depression. Take necessary time to communicate with your loved ones as various apps are now available, where you can talk to them through video call, it will create a drastic impact to overcome their problems during their isolation or been in quarantine.

CONCLUSION:

COVID-19 pandemic has brought brings many challenges to human beings. It has not only outbroken the condition but also behavioral changes, psychosocial impact in the population. Measures like controlling the transmission of this disease by isolating and maintaining social distancing, being in quarantine had affected people psychologically and socially. Several problems like anxiety, depression, financial crisis, life style changes have triggered and people are more living in fear and stressful condition. The health authorities and the governments should manage to improve the psychological problem of COVID-19 pandemic by providing emotional support to the whole population, but particularly to the susceptible individuals.