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As the world struggles to cope with the initial waves of deaths and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is mounting evidence that a “second wave” related to rising health conditions could accumulate. mental and substance use disorders, according to a study published Monday in the JAMA Journal of Medicine.
“A second wave of devastation is imminent, attributable to the mental health consequences of the Coronavirus,” wrote the authors, wrote Dr. Naomi Simon, Dr. Glenn Sacks and Dr. Charles Marmar, all from the School of Medicine. Grossman of New York University.
“It is likely that the scale of this second wave will exceed an already deteriorated mental health system, which will create access problems, especially for the most vulnerable,” they added.
The researchers suggested that this second wave of mental health will bring more challenges, such as increased deaths from suicide and drug overdoses, and will have a disproportionate effect on the same groups affected in the first wave: blacks, the elderly, some social groups and workers. from the field of Healthcare.
The authors of the report said: “The scale of death in a short period of time is an international tragedy on a historical scale.”
The authors write that the primary concern is “turning normal sadness and distress into long-term sadness, major depressive disorder, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Longer melancholy
Prolonged mourning, which affects approximately 10% of the bereaved, is characterized by at least six months of intense longing, worry, or both, for the deceased; Emotional pain Loneliness; Difficulty participating in life, avoidance; Feeling that life is meaningless and increases the risk of suicide. The authors said that these conditions can also become chronic with additional comorbidities, such as substance use disorders.
The authors said that 10% of those affected by prolonged bereavement are likely to underestimate the pain related to deaths from COVID-19, with each death leaving nearly nine family members grieving. This means that there are 2 million people grieving in the United States, so “the impact of Covid-19 deaths on mental health will be profound.”
COVID-19 is already affecting mental health
The pandemic has already sparked a mental health crisis, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.And a new report found that Americans suffer more mental health problems related to the Corona virus than Americans. people in other countries.
CDC survey data indicated that nearly 41% of those surveyed had mental health problems caused by the epidemic. The issues relate to the pandemic and the measures in place to contain it, including stay-at-home orders and social distancing.
About 41% of those surveyed reported one or more mental or behavioral health conditions, including substance abuse, symptoms of depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Three times as many Americans reported anxiety symptoms at the same time last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The epidemic has also affected caregivers, according to the “Blue Cross Blue Shield” association. A national analysis of at least 6.7 million APC-insured caregivers found that 26% of unpaid caregivers trying to balance work and family due to COVID-19 feel more stressed and have better physical health. deficient than before the pandemic. .
The New York University authors suggest that the solution will require increased funding for mental health. Comprehensive examinations to identify those most at risk; Primary care physicians and mental health professionals trained in the treatment of people with prolonged grief, depression, traumatic stress, and substance abuse; Relentlessly focusing on families and communities, restoring the methods they have creatively used to control loss and tragedy throughout the generations.
Source: CNN
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