Scarred Minds - A Historic Rise in Mental Illness amid Covid-19 by RajaRao Pagidipalli

Scarred Minds - A Historic Rise in Mental Illness amid Covid-19 : RajaRao Pagidipalli Mental illness is a global problem. Millions of the world’s population suffer from depression. As the corona virus pandemic continues to rage on, an invisible fight is emerging for many at home, triggered by the anxiety, joblessness, death, isolation and uncertainty that accompany the virus. People are in a state of constant fear and deep anxiety as there is no final word on how long this pandemic will linger on. They are increasingly worried about getting sick, how long the pandemic will last, and what the future will bring. They are struggling to piece together money to pay bills and the continuous assault of worry and insecurity is leading to greater mental health issues than before. And the effects of this fear may not be felt equally, women are being concerned more than men. Depression was already a leading cause of disability globally. This virus is sure to have a lasting effect and it is already taking a RajaRao Pagidipalli Page 1

psychological toll. Information overload and the spread of misinformation contributes even further to a collective feeling of things being out of control. This disease is anxiety-provoking which leads to dysfunction in social, occupational, psychological domains. This anxiety is compounded by rumors, flooding of information in the media and internet, changes in daily life and routine, economic instability, discrimination, stigma, feeling of alienation, and guilt. Anxiety is generally characterized by worry, fear of getting infected or infecting others and can be manifested by nervousness and breathing problems. The absence of a definitive treatment for Covid-19 is easily exacerbates anxiety. In turn, these symptoms can contribute to other issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm, suicide attempts, or violent behaviour during the pandemic. The truth is, much of what we are doing is unscripted, unknowable, and uncertain. Since the beginning of the pandemic, people have been reporting increasing pressure on their mental health. Some necessary health precautions to reduce virus spread, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and can increase anxiety. The duration of loneliness was strongly correlated with mental health symptoms than the intensity of loneliness. The visuals of mass exodus of migrant laborers from the cities is a saga of dejection, betrayal and abandonment. They worked tirelessly day and night so that others can sleep comfortably, but when they needed a helping hand it was missing. To add to their misery, arrangements were made to bring back those stranded abroad but none for them. This lack of sensitivity to their needs and desperation to reach their homes has added to the stress level and feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. This trauma is going to haunt their consciousness for a long time. Other problems such as adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and mood disorders are likely to rise. The indirect impact on mental health is likely to be even more alarming and risks of discrimination and violence related to gender, children and caste. After disasters, most people become tough and RajaRao Pagidipalli Page 2

do not succumb. Some people find new strengths. During this unprecedented time of uncertainty and fear, it is likely that mental health issues will be worsened. Living with mental illness is not easy. It’s a consistent problem without a clear solution. Anyone can suffer from mental or emotional health problems—and over a lifetime most of us will. If we accept the fact, then we can act, prepare and keep ourselves safe. We ignore the emotional messages that tell us something is wrong and try toughing it out by distracting ourselves or self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, or self-destructive behaviors. We bottle up our problems in the hope that others won’t notice. We hope that our situation will eventually improve on its own. We should urge our friends and colleagues to spread sound infection control practices and help their communities maintain civil, courteous, and rational communication. A low index of suspicion of mental distress can help in early detection and treatment and spare patients much suffering. A distraction can get us away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression. We should find purpose in helping the people around and should minimize constant news about the outbreak which heightens fears about the disease. Spiritual strength from a belief system can bring us comfort during difficult times and even a few minutes of quiet time can be refreshing and help bring peace to mind and reduce anxiety whereas using alcohol to try to cope the situation will make matters worse. It’s easy to blame, it’s easy to politicize, it’s harder to tackle a problem together and find solutions together. But without food, shelter and safety, there can be little hope for sustaining good mental health during or after this crisis. RajaRao Pagidipalli Page 3