Pandemic triggers sharp rise in cases of depression
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The steep rise in COVID-19 infections has raised anxiousness ranges amongst many individuals. Psychiatrists say they’re seeing extra folks with depression and anxiousness, whereas each psychiatric dysfunction is worsening in the midst of the second wave of the pandemic.
The quantity of individuals testing optimistic for COVID-19 in the State has been rising day by day. Simultaneously, there are rising issues on mattress availability and oxygen provide. How the recent wave of infections has been impacting the psychological well being of folks and the necessity to search assistance is of equal significance, say medical doctors.
“We are seeing a lot of people with anxiety, palpitation, panic disorder and depression. With a lot of children testing positive for COVID-19, the anxiety levels have increased among parents too, especially in nuclear families. So, in the first wave, there was the fear of the unknown. Now, in the second wave, there is fear of the known,” mentioned Lakshmi Vijayakumar, psychiatrist and founder of Sneha suicide prevention centre. She identified that the second wave was traumatic, and there was a way of emotional fatigue amongst folks.
The anxiousness was undoubtedly extra now, P. Poorna Chandrika, director of Institute of Mental Health, mentioned. “In the first wave, the stigma associated with COVID-19 was high but it has reduced now. There is a definite increase in anxiety levels. Some persons are experiencing aggravation of symptoms of their already diagnosed psychiatric disorders,” she added.
All pre-existing circumstances comparable to depression, anxiousness, psychosis, OCD and panic dysfunction have been getting worse, mentioned R. Thara, vice-chairperson of Schizophrenia Research Foundation.
“Many are unable to see doctors face to face as teleconsultations are being taken up. Many are unable to do therapies that need face to face interactions,” she mentioned.
“As cases dipped from November to January, people were looking forward to normalcy. There was some hope in people’s minds. All that has come dashing to the ground. There is desolation and despair and people are feeling helpless. They are seeing lack of beds, oxygen and vaccines all around. This despair, sense of hopelessness and fear is more now as there is uncertainty around,” she added.
She mentioned that individuals ought to speak to counsellors or associates and search assist for his or her psychological well being wants.
Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar mentioned the quantity of individuals looking for assist by way of calls had elevated exponentially.
“People should not panic unnecessarily. We have clear cut guidelines and treatment protocols for COVID-19. We need to understand that cases are spreading faster than the first wave, and that there are enough treatment protocols to handle,” she mentioned.
Doctors known as for limiting publicity to media might assist in decreasing anxiousness ranges. “Watch television news once a day or read the newspaper once a day,” she mentioned.
Persons who’re in want of assist/counselling can name the Institute of Mental Health at 044-26425585.
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