COVID-19 effect on our mental health was huge. How did COVID-19 affect the mental health of individuals?
I was planning my annual Spring party when my best friend called and told me that the local government prohibited mass gatherings. When I asked why, she said, “The coronavirus has been spreading rapidly. There are already 200 confirmed cases in this city, and the number is still rising.”
I did not have time to process the situation because we had to go under full lockdown at once. I thought it would end after 30 days, but boy, I was wrong. Hence, here’s how the COVID-19 outbreak affected my mental health.
I Became Paranoid
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, my friends used to say that I could win Ms. Congeniality easily. That’s because I always greeted everyone I met and even treated strangers as if we had known each other for years. As my parents taught me, I had to be gracious to others to receive graciousness as well.
However, pandemic paranoia reigned over me from the moment that I learned about the incurable covid. For instance, I tried going to the supermarket while wearing a PPE, but I could not push myself to step on the ground when I saw five other customers in the store. I was lucky that local stores offered home delivery, but I might have starved a couple of times because I was scared of picking up the groceries outside my door until I was sure that 24 hours already passed.
I Wanted To Stay Isolated Forever
It only took two full months before the city government announced that we could mingle with young people again, as long as we were wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. I got calls from my parents and friends soon after, asking when I would host a party. They had always known that I loved organizing social gatherings, so they thought I would jump at this opportunity to do that.
But that’s where my loved ones were wrong. I honestly told them that I did not feel safe to let anyone in my house while the coronavirus was still lurking. After all, I had no way of knowing who they came across before reaching my place or where they had been in the last 14 days.
This news shocked everyone, especially Mom and Dad. They said they missed me badly, and the feeling was mutual, but I was genuinely ready to stay alone forever, considering it meant that I would not catch the virus.
I Felt Depressed
Of course, depression began to seep in my veins soon enough. Even though I had a firm resolve to avoid my loved ones for a while, I was unhappy about it. I was the most productive while working with the people I cared about; not being around them for God only knew how long it was draining my life force.
Some days, all I wanted to do was sleep. Other days, I could not even close my eyes. I also lost some weight because I felt too tired to prepare my meals three times a day. There was a time when I started wondering, “What’s the point of trying to live when you see nothing but the four walls of the house every day?”
I Began To Wonder If This Was The End
My outlook did not improve when I heard that parks, malls, and other public places already reopened. In truth, I felt more scared than ever as I imagined how fast virus transmission could happen there. While the people kept a distance from each other, there were still elevator buttons to push, escalator or stair handles to hold on to, and chairs and tables to get your hands on. If an asymptomatic individual touched any of them, it would undoubtedly not take long before other people ended up testing positive for the coronavirus. It was as if I was longing for secured health services and public health assurance that the covid 19 pandemic was genuinely over.
As I was thinking of that, I wondered if this was what the Doomsday would look like. I used to laugh at conspiracy theories like that in the past, but what if the theorists had valid reasons to believe it could happen? The thought kept swirling in my head, making me feel crazier than ever. It was at that moment I knew that the COVID-19 affect on mental health required me to seek mental health services for this uncalled anxiety and depression.
What To Do During Covid-19 Pandemic
Hope came back to me when I found out that some Covid-19 vaccines would soon be distributed worldwide. If people got vaccinated, they could not possibly contract the coronavirus and transmit it to others. Then, I would not need to worry about having COVID 19 pandemic and being unable to beat it.
While waiting for the Covid-19 vaccine, I decided to focus on mental health care. I contacted a licensed therapist and asked if he could squeeze me in his schedule. The therapy session took place online, of course, so I did not have to meet him in person.
I had been told that experiencing depression and paranoia, among other things, was understandable while facing a global health crisis. Still, the therapist said that I made the right call when I asked for mental help because the conditions might have aggravated. Otherwise, I might not be around to get that Covid-19 vaccine anymore.
COVID-19 Affecting Mental Health FAQs
How Does COVID-19 Affect Mental Health?
What Are Some Questions To Ask About Mental Health?
How Does COVID-19 Affect Mental Health Of Students?
It is good to be aware how covid 19 can affect your mental health. During times like this, the availability of nearby mental health services are essential to combat mental health problems and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Pandemic anxiety is one mental illness which is rampant covid 19 pandemic is pandemic anxiety which affects not only young adults but also older adults. It is essential to be aware of various mental health needs of the community that needs action from the government and health officials.
What Are The Strategies In Protecting Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic?
Government officials must impose strategies regarding public health since it is one of the major aspects that are affected during a pandemic. Issues regarding mental health impacts each of us differently. Some may tolerate and handle their problems easily, while others struggle. This is why mental health resources and mental health care must be accessible from those who experiences any kind of mental health illness during the pandemic. Health care workers are prone into having anxiety and depression symptoms and post traumatic stress disorder due to the nature of their work.
How To Maintain A Mentally Healthy Society Amidst COVID-19 Problems?
One way is by checking depression or any mental health symptoms of each one of us. Poor mental health can lead to unemployment, less energy, and more. Mental health care impact various aspects of one’s life which is why it is essential to maintain our minds healthy.
How Can We Prevent Social Media From Affecting Mental Health?
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What Are Some Effective Strategies For Managing Social Media Use To Promote Better Mental Health?
What Are Some Strategies That Could Help To Avoid Stress Associated With COVID-19?
How Can We Better Support The Mental Health Of Individuals In Our Society?
How Can You Use Your Community To Improve Your Mental Health?
How Important Is Mental Health Awareness As A Student During COVID-19?
Why Is Mental Health An Important Issue To Be Addressed?
Why is it important to be aware of mental health issues?
Just like how people give importance to physical health by administering disease control, emergency department visits, free check-ups, and physical fitness awareness, mental health is also something that needs more attention. Mental health conditions are as rampant as any physical conditions out there. Mental health symptoms may or may not be seen in the naked eye, but it is real and can be experienced by anyone. Cases of people who struggle from substance use, depressive disorder, anxiety, and more are being reported all around the globe. This is why mental health support is important, especially during times of a mental health crisis.
How do we live life taking care of our mental health and developing emotional intelligence?