How coronavirus affects your mental health

Times during disease outbreaks like the novel coronavirus can be scary and the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the pandemic might actually affect our mental health. As we strive to stay updated and informed about the virus and its impact, there are a number of things we can do to support and manage our mental wellbeing. Conversely, it is prudent that we understand how COVID-19 affects our mental health.

How Covid-19 affects mental health

According to the Public Mental Health Education During COVID-19 Pandemic, these are the ways COVID-19 affects our mental health:

Fear of the virus is associated with the experience of intense distress. Prolonged distress can lead to anxiety disorders and depression. Physical isolation of individuals, families or communities exposed to COVID-19 is a further risk for psychosocial problems. Social problems may emerge such as breakdown of community support systems and stigma against the vulnerable and the ill. There is likely to be a drastic decline of income generation within communities due to travel and work restrictions, loss of family and community members and the collapse of businesses. Persons with pre-existing mental conditions may relapse and may not find adequate care including medication.

While the pandemic might affect you, there are tips that might help you to look after your mental health during this time when there are much discussion of potential threats to our wellbeing:

Avoid speculation and try to look up reputable sources on the outbreak

Anxiety is greatly fueled by rumour and speculation. To be able to feel more in control, you need access to good quality information about the pandemic. This is not the time to believe every news you see on social media or personal blogs, instead, follow reputable media platforms to get verified information.

Also, you need to manage how you follow the outbreak in the media since there is extensive news coverage about the outbreak. If the news is causing you stress, you will need to find a balance. While it is important that you don’t avoid all news, you might have to limit your news intake if it is bothering you.

Stay connected

When stressed, we tend to work better in company and with support. While we are not able to work in groups at the moment, it is important that try and maintain contact with our friends, colleagues and family. We can stay in touch by social media, telephone calls or emails. Staying connected will helps manage stress by making us feel included and important.

Don’t make assumptions

This is not the time to judge people and jump into conclusions about who is irresponsible and who isn’t. The coronavirus can affect everyone regardless of ethnicity or sex as thus you have to be careful and be responsible for yourself. Judging and blaming others will only make you agitated, and maybe angry, a state that hinders you from making sound decisions about your wellbeing.

What’s the silliest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?