Pandemic triggers anxiety disorders

Ever because the second wave of the pandemic hit the district, a retired trainer in her 60s from Thripunithira had been affected by sleeplessness and gastro points, the therapy for which has introduced little respite to her.

Eventually, she was discovered affected by psychosomatic sickness the place the individual develops signs of a illness whereas not really having it.

“It turned out to be a classic case of gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD], cases of which have increased considerably since the resurgence of the pandemic. It is a manifestation of anxiety and stress, and the symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, lack of appetite, and sleeplessness. In severe cases, it could even lead to depression,” mentioned V. Sudarshana Manoj, counselling psychologist.

According to her, anxiety-driven points have surged of late, particularly amongst aged individuals who continually stay in worry of demise. “That they [the elderly] are restricted to their homes with little social interaction and are active on social media that is bristling with pandemic-related forwards do not help. Television channels and newspapers painting an explosive situation also trigger their anxiety,” Ms. Manoj mentioned.

Media critic Sebastian Paul felt {that a} clear separation needed to be made between social media and traditional media. “While the former is throbbing with misinformation, the latter has by and large done a commendable job. In a pandemic situation, there needs to be a constant flow of credible and verified information, the absence of which could have disastrous consequences like what had happened during the Bengal famine. I don’t fully agree with the observation that media reporting has triggered anxiety,” he mentioned whereas reminding the media to be even handed in regards to the selection of phrases utilized in reporting.

Mr. Paul added that the reportage of the pandemic would solely enhance because the media advanced a code on their very own because it did within the eighties when the phenomenon of AIDS exploded. The media adopted a code on defending the privateness of the contaminated. “Any such code should be evolved out of experience rather than imposed by the government, which could turn out to be disastrous,” he noticed.

S.D. Singh, a senior guide psychiatrist at a city-based non-public hospital, mentioned the federal government ought to undertake a psychological well being screening programme to keep away from suicides and a flurry of emotional breakdowns discovering reflection in elevated home violence and extreme dependence on alcohol. “Those not mentally healthy but on treatment are better coping with the pandemic situation with a slight rearrangement of their medication, while the same cannot be said about those who are not mentally healthy but are yet to be diagnosed. A mental health programme alongside the fight against the pandemic will serve the twin purpose of identifying those with mental health issues while reaching them the benefits of treatment without stigmatising them,” he mentioned.

Dr. Singh urged certified psychological well being professionals to hitch arms with the federal government to reinforce psychological well being alongside the battle towards the pandemic.