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Stress about health, finances, and uncertainty about the future amid the COVID-19 pandemic is seriously affecting the mental health of people around the world. In India, there has been a massive increase in patients with mental illness since the coronavirus outbreak. A recent survey by the Indian Psychiatry Society reported a 20% increase in patients with mental illness since the coronavirus outbreak. The survey noted that at least one in five Indians suffers from mental illness.
More and more people in the US USA They also turn to prescription medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to cope with mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A report released this month by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management program, found that weekly prescriptions for antidepressants, anxiolytics, and insomnia medications increased by 21% between mid-February and mid-March in the US. USA March 15 when the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
According to the report, prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications increased 34.1% during this period and 18% in the week of March 15. While prescriptions for antidepressants increased by 18.6%, the use of insomnia medications increased by 14.8%.
Experts are also concerned that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be a consequence of this crisis. PTSD was reported to be the most common psychiatric disorder that emerged after the SARS outbreak. In some studies, the prevalence of symptoms of acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSS) was observed among COVID-19 survivors. Researchers have warned that PTSS can affect a higher percentage of the population in countries without prior exposure to severe epidemics.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS DURING THE LOCKOUT
Do you feel stressed or emotionally low during the confinement? Movement restrictions and social isolation are essential to break the cycle of Covid-19 infection, but it can have a serious impact on mental health. Intended to help people stay calm and aware during the shutdown, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently issued a notice on how to manage emotional issues during the coronavirus pandemic. Have a look –
Ways to manage social isolation
The ministry suggests some ways to stay positive and cheerful during the lockdown. These include –
- Stay busy Stick to a schedule. Help to do household chores.
- Listen to music, read, watch an entertaining TV show to distract yourself from negative emotions. Rediscover your hobbies.
- Eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
- Stay physically active by doing simple exercises indoors.
- Older people may feel confused, lost, and need help. Offer them help by giving them what they need, their medications, their daily needs, etc.
- If you have children at home, keep them busy by letting them help with household chores: make them feel responsible and gain new skills
Tips for handling emotional problems
The government advises against following sensational news or social media posts that may affect your mental state. If you are having an emotional issue, the ministry recommends trying these tips:
- In times of anxiety, practice breathing slowly for a few minutes. Try to distance the thoughts that make you anxious. Think of something calm and serene, and calm your mind.
- When you feel angry and irritated, calm your mind, counting from 10 to 1, distracting yourself for help.
- Even when you are afraid, face it by asking yourself:
- What is under my control?
- Am I unnecessarily worrying about the worst that can happen?
- When I have been stressed in the past, how have I managed?
- What are the things I can do to help myself and be positive?
- Feeling lonely or sad is also quite common. Stay connected with others. Communication can help you connect with family and friends. Call people you haven’t talked to and surprise them. Discuss happy events, common interests, exchange cooking tips, share music.
If you need advice from a mental health professional, you can call the helpline number (080-46110007).
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Published: April 26, 2020 11:15 a.m.
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