Mental Health Implications of Covid-19
Covid-19 has shed increased light on mental health issues. As the pandemic struck, individuals experienced panic due to fear of the unknown, and as the number of infections increased, mental health problems intensified. Among the general public, the uncertainty that surrounds the disease brought about major mental health problems like depression, stress and anxiety (Shah et al., 2021). The mental health problems experienced during the coronavirus outbreak revolved around such factors as the fear of getting infected, the uncertainty regarding the course that the pandemic would take in future months or years, job loss, financial insecurity, and social isolation.
During a pandemic, it is common for individuals to experience the fear of being infected with the disease, resulting in depression, stress, and anxiety. During the outbreak of Covid-19, scientists found it difficult to understand the virus, and therefore, finding an effective vaccine was problematic. With no known cure or vaccine, an increase in fear of the unknown and the fear of getting infected increased among the general public. Some scholars claim that individuals with already-existing problems such as obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety, and depression experience heightened anxiety related to the fear of getting infected (Pan et al., 2021). There was an increase in emphasis regarding the need to maintain social distancing and ensure hygienic measures such as thorough washing of hands with plenty of water and soap or sanitizing to prevent contamination. Whereas these measures are important in curbing the spread of the disease, they only enhance distress and anxiety among individuals with already existing OCD, anxiety and depression symptoms (Pan et al., 2021).
Social isolation was highly emphasized at the start of the coronavirus breakout, which was greatly linked to various mental and physical health problems (Shah et al., 2021). A study conducted on quarantined individuals showed that most had negative psychological health as they experienced post-traumatic stress, anger, and confusion (Shah et al., 2021). Some of the stressors that triggered these reactions included the fear of infection, longer quarantine duration, boredom, financial loss, frustration, stigma, inadequate information, and separation from loved ones (Shah et al, 2021).
According to Uphoff et al (2021), there are certain groups that experienced major mental health problems during the coronavirus outbreak compared to others. Healthcare workers who were directly exposed to the virus and infected individuals recorded heightened distress as they got infected, lost their colleagues and some even committed suicide (Uphoff et al., 2021). Individuals from low-income families also experienced increased job insecurities. The majority of them live in areas with poor housing, insufficient water, poor hygiene, and overcrowded regions; hence, the fear of infection and general effects of the pandemic intensified. The homeless and those in prison also took a significant hit from the pandemic as observing social isolation and hygiene measures were problematic for them.
In general, mental health problems increased at a rapid rate when the coronavirus struck. These problems were primarily brought about by the fear of being infected, social isolation, fear of the unknown, and financial insecurities. Frontline healthcare workers, the homeless, individuals in prisons, individuals with already-existing mental health problems like anxiety and OCD, and low-income earners are said to have been worst hit by the pandemic. In addition, they also experienced deteriorated mental health. Therefore, the coronavirus has shed increasing light on the issue of mental health, and the need to address this issue to ensure the quality of life and well-being among the public cannot be ignored.
References
Pan, K. Y., Kok, A. A., Eikelenboom, M., Horsfall, M., Jörg, F., Luteijn, R. A., & Penninx, B. W. (2021). The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with and without depressive, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorders: a longitudinal study of three Dutch case-control cohorts. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(2), 121-129.
Shah, S. M. A., Mohammad, D., Qureshi, M. F. H., Abbas, M. Z., & Aleem, S. (2021). Prevalence, psychological responses and associated correlates of depression, anxiety and stress in a global population during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(1), 101-110.
Uphoff, E. P., Lombardo, C., Johnston, G., Weeks, L., Rodgers, M., Dawson, S., & Churchill, R. (2021). Mental health among healthcare workers and other vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic and other coronavirus outbreaks: A rapid systematic review. PloS one, 16(8), e0254821.
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Writing Assignment
Psychology of the Coronavirus
Before beginning your paper on the psychology of COVID-19, please read this carefully. Using the skills, tools, concepts, and vocabulary you have gained from our class, write a paper on the psychology of COVID-19.
Mental Health Implications of Covid-19
You may focus on any aspect that feels meaningful and interesting to you. Choose one or two of the topics below for your paper.
the various mental health implications
the economic implications
suicide
addiction
families living in tight quarters and complicated family dynamics
the college experience and what this means now and later
ageism and the treatment of the elderly
expecting a baby at this moment in history
relationships and intimacy now (people away from boyfriends and girlfriends, the toll on marriages, etc.)
unemployment
self-harm
the trappings of domestic violence and incest, and assault amidst quarantine
health care
effects on friendships
technology
Your writing assignment must include the following:
APA Style format/writing
4 Pages: Page 1-cover page, Page 2 & 3-content, Page 4-Refrences
Minimum of 1 reference
.
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