Multiple lines of evidence indicate that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profound psychological and social effects. The psychological sequelae of the pandemic will probably persist for months and years to come.
QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 113, Issue 10, October 2020 – https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/113/10/707/5857612
What consequences does COVID-19 have for depression and suicide?
The spread of COVID-19 leaves people feeling out of control, which is uncomfortable and unnerving. People are driven to protect themselves and loved ones from perceived threats and the uncertainty surrounding this situation escalate fears. It’s concerning that this pandemic is having a clear mental health effect on young adults. More and more people are struggling and suffering from profound psychological complaints, such as depression and suicide.
Young adults more sensitive for depression and suicide
The pandemic, according to the data, affects people ages 18 to 29 more, with 42 per cent reporting anxiety, and 36 per cent depression. The second most-affected age group are people from 30 to 39 years old, with 34 per cent reporting anxiety and 28 per cent depression.
Older people, who are more at risk for COVID-19, were far less likely to report emotional reactions. Sixteen per cent of people age 70 to 79 and 11 per cent over 80 reported anxiety; 12 per cent aged 70 to 79 and 9 per cent over 80 said they felt depressed. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the measures intended to prevent or contain the pandemic around the world have caused a lot of problems. They have threatened, directly and indirectly, people’s health (e.g., difficulties in the use of health services), work and financial well-being, privacy and civil liberties, and nearly everything else previously taken for granted (e.g., attending sporting events, concerts, or even just going for a walk). Both from a scientific perspective and from the media, studies and news reports are reaching us that indicate the impact of the pandemic and the accompanying measures on our mental health. For example, a study from the UK already noted a marked increase in stress, anxiety, depression and suicide as early as April 2020.
Graph- COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC)
Corona virus: huge impact on lives
COVID-19 is having a huge impact on the way most of us live our lives. Staying at home, not being able to go out and see friends or family, and not being able to do the things we usually do, can affect us in different ways. We might feel concerned or upset by the news, or by things we hear or read about COVID-19. It might make us feel isolated, lonely, angry, or depressed about the future. Some of us might have thoughts of hurting ourselves, as a way of controlling our emotions, or wanting a release from how we feel. When we start to feel really low or alone, we might even have thoughts of wanting to end our life. And now, a new study suggests these reports reflect a bigger trend in worsening mental health in a large segment of the population.
In an article, Psychiatry Research, Killgore and colleagues present evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased loneliness in Americans, and that loneliness is associated with rates of depression and suicidal ideation. According to the results, 94% of respondents reported they had been “sheltering-in-place,” and 62% reported they had been feeling “socially isolated much of the time.”
Graph – William D.S. Killgore
You are not alone
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life, it is important to know that you are not alone. You can still get the right support and help you need during the COVID-19 outbreak. Villa Paradiso Rehab keeps its doors open during this worldwide outbreak. We continue to treat our clients with addiction and other psychological or psychosocial conditions.
We provide a safe environment for you to explore painful topics and deal with challenges depression has caused in your life. Our therapists are trained to deal with a multitude of problems and can help address your emotional pain.
In this difficult time, we want to offer everyone who needs help a 10% discount on one of our treatments until 31 December 2020. In most cases, we can arrange and reimburse your transport. Let us help you!
