Mental Health and COVID-19

(what it is, what causes it, what it’s like to live with & getting treatment)

 

Mental Health and COVID-19

 

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Across the nation, people struggle with various mental health disorders. These disorders have greatly affected Americans for many years due to the toll that mental illness takes on the people who suffer with any given mental health disorder. “It’s a disorder, not a decision.” This commonly spoken, anonymous quote explains how individuals who face mental illness do not choose to struggle, rather they are simply confronted with mental illness disorders. The list of diagnosed disorders continues to grow, with a variation that includes, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, hoarding disorder, ADHD, and many others. Unfortunately, these disorders consistently haunt members of society and their families. One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. The Social Dilemma, a Netflix original, cited that suicide rates had increased by 151% in girls ages 10-14 and by 70% in girls ages 15-19. These statistics are outrageously alarming! It is hard to believe the amount of people who are affected by mental illness. 

 

It is obvious that mental illness is not a joke. Clearly, people of a wide age range are forced to deal with this illness. But what are the real causes of mental illness and often threatening mental illness disorders? Because of the vast mix of factors including genetics, brain function, childhood, the environment during our formative years, one’s living environment, social groups, cultural background, and any given life experiences, we cannot pinpoint the actual causes or one main cause that leads to this illness. What we do know is that there are numerous situations which exacerbate different types of mental health disorders. Each person has a unique life story and experiences that can contribute towards one’s illness. Some of these disorders are so much more than typical: moderate consumption of alcohol, prescribed or illicit drug usage, loneliness and isolation, abandonment as a child, PTSD from a traumatic event, sexual abuse, chronic health issues, or unusually high amounts of stress.

 

Although most people are able to manage normal stressors in their daily lives, mental health disorders are extremely detrimental for those conflicted within. Numerous disorders repeatedly lead to addictions, hospitalization, suicide and other problems. These disorders also result in problems with family and friends. Living with a mental health disorder can upset more than the one living with the disorder; it can also affect an entire family and loved ones around them. Similarly, people affected by mental illness can experience problems with health issues, financial instability, maintaining a job, being taken advantage, suicide, or even jail time. Mental illness creates multiple obstacles for individuals to overcome.

 

As if life was not challenging enough, COVID-19 has created additional life stressors, such as being quarantined at home for extended periods with entire family units, job furloughs, perhaps job loss, and isolation. These situations have made so many Americans vulnerable, making it tough to cope with life. Re-entering and living in the world as we did before has already created additional stress. Many will experience mixed emotions as they prepare to integrate into society again. Some people will fret over the possibility of getting sick, contracting the coronavirus, or “catching the Rona”. The struggle will continue to be so real. In order to adjust to “normal” life as a parent, student, member of society in the workplace, or other prior environments, people must be aware of how COVID-19 has truly affected them.

 

During the pandemic, suicide and crisis prevention help lines saw a dramatic increase in calls. When safer-at-home restrictions lift, those with mental health issues will not be able to go back to “normal”. The pandemic has caused a great degree of mental health issues that we have never faced before. Likewise, the coronavirus has unfortunately contributed to mental illness in those not formerly diagnosed with any, and complicated mental illness for those already affected by it. 

 

So, as we approach the end of 2020, how can we deal with the unforeseen mental illness and added struggles this year has presented? There has to be a way to ease the pain of mental illness disorders and cope with the stress of life situations. It is important to remember that there are ways to eliminate or reduce stress. In this way, they can be used as healthy coping mechanisms. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eliminating tobacco, alcohol, and fast foods can help. Other ways to manage stress entail meditation, breathing techniques, consistent exercise, and deep sleep. Self-care can also reduce stress and keep your immune system strong. Finally, making time to relax and connecting with others can decrease stress and the feelings of isolation. 

 

If a mental health disorder is chronic or severe, seeking professional treatment is a wise course of action. Psychotherapy, prescription medications, ECT or TMS stimulation therapy, or complementary health treatments are effective options that are available to treat mental health disorders. Most disorders don’t “go away”; they require careful management and treatment to ensure one is not at risk to self-harm. 

 

 

Mental health disorders have affected people for many years, and the list of diagnosed disorders continues to grow. Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, hoarding disorder, ADHD, and many others haunt our families. The Social Dilemma, a Netflix original, cited that suicide rates had increased by 151% in girls ages 10-14 and by 70% in girls ages 15-19.

 

These statistics are alarming! 

 

Mental illness is not a joke. And, we can’t pinpoint actual causes. We only know there are situations which exacerbate mental health disorders. Some of these are more-than-moderate consumption of alcohol, prescribed or illicit drug usage, loneliness and isolation, abandonment as a child, PTSD from a traumatic event, sexual abuse, chronic health issues, and an unusually high amount of stress.

 

Although all of us have stressors in our lives, mental health disorders are detrimental and lead to addictions, hospitalization, suicide and other results. Living with a mental health disorder can upset more than the one living with the disorder, it can affect the entire family and loved ones around them. 

 

COVID-19 has created additional stressors, such as entire family units being quarantined at home for extended periods, job furloughs or perhaps job loss, and isolation. Re-entering the world as we knew it will create additional stress. Many will experience mixed emotions to be integrated into society again. Some will fret over the possibility of getting sick or contracting the coronavirus. Others will struggle to adjust to “normal” life as a parent, in the workplace, or other prior environment. 

 

Unfortunately, the coronavirus has contributed to mental illness in those not formerly diagnosed with any, and complicated mental illness for those already affected by it. 

 

Suicide and crisis prevention help lines saw a dramatic increase in calls during the pandemic. And, when safer-at-home restrictions lift, those with mental health issues will not be able to go back to “normal”. The pandemic has caused a great degree of mental health issues never faced before. 

 

There are ways to eliminate or reduce stress that can be used as healthy coping mechanisms. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eliminating tobacco, alcohol, and fast foods, can help. Meditation, exercise and sleep can also reduce stress and keep your immune system strong. Finally, making time to relax and connecting with others can decrease stress and the feelings of isolation. 

 

If a mental health disorder is chronic or severe, seeking professional treatment is a wise course of action. Psychotherapy, prescription medications, ECT or TMS stimulation therapy, or complementary health treatments are some of the options available to treat mental health disorders. Most disorders don’t “go away”; they take careful management and treatment to ensure one is not at risk to self-harm.