Confinement Puts The Mental Health Of The Most Vulnerable At Risk
There are more and more voices that warn of an increase in mental disorders as a result of coronavirus confinement
Psychologists and health experts warn of the negative impact on the mental health of the most vulnerable people who make up risk groups, such as the chronically ill and individuals with previous psychiatric pathologies.
People who suffer from previous psychiatric pathologies are a significant risk group, since it is known that the longer the time spent in quarantine or confinement, the greater the probability that the pathology will worsen. Psychological distress is common both during and after the confinement period. In people who already suffer from anxiety, the feeling of helplessness and lack of control induced by forced confinement only exacerbates mental pathology.
Working in the healthcare sector and having financial problems They are also factors that predispose to worse mental health in an extraordinary context like the one we live in. “People diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and those who suffer from specific hygiene and cleanliness phobias are especially vulnerable in these types of situations, and there are more and more people who request help to cope with anxiety due to isolation,” they say from Psonríe, a of the largest Spanish-speaking online psychology apps that has seen requests for psychological help increase by 200% in the last two weeks.
Various investigations have highlighted that there are certain factors that are associated with worse mental health in a context of quarantine and confinement by epidemic, and that may be responsible for certain mental pathologies becoming more acute.
1. Duration of quarantine
Studies indicate that a longer duration of quarantine is related to worsening mental health, specifically post-traumatic stress symptoms, avoidance behaviors and anger attacks.
2. Fear of infection
People in quarantine tend to report fears about their own health or infecting others. The most affected people tend to present obsessive thoughts and worry about experiencing any physical symptoms potentially related to the infection. This occurs more in pregnant women and people with children.
3. Frustration and boredom
Confinement, the loss of usual routines and the reduction of social and physical contact generates boredom, frustration and a feeling of isolation People who have more difficulties managing these emotions are more harmed.
4. Inadequate information
Consume hoaxes or biased information It is a stressor and creates confusion Lack of clarity about the level of risk leads people to fear the worst and is a significant predictor of suffering from post-traumatic stress symptoms.
People with serious mental disorders: the great forgotten in this crisis
If there is a group that is especially vulnerable to this exceptional situation of confinement and that is talked about very little, it is people with serious mental disorders and chronic pathologies who have seen how the health resources that supported them in their daily lives have been reduced to a minimum.
Individuals with schizophrenia, psychosis, personality disorders and other psychiatric pathologies are today the most forgotten in this pandemic.
Although it may be thought that people with schizophrenia and other psychoses usually spend time at home and confinement may be made more bearable, this is not the case, and there is already data that confirms that a worsening of pathologies is occurring due to lack of monitoring, reduction in adherence to treatment, disease flare-ups, etc. Definitely, a significant deterioration in the quality of life of all these people
And after that? The post-coronavirus panorama
The evidence we have from previous epidemic processes leads us to think that This crisis is not going to be different and will also produce a significant psychological impact in the population.
The increase in anxiety problems, stress, depressive disorders and the worsening of previous psychiatric pathologies will be part of the post-coronavirus health panorama.
To reduce the psychological impact and address the mental health problems that have been generated by confinement, there is increasing demand for online psychology services that, like Psonríe, allow you to speak with a psychologist instantly, 24 hours a day and completely anonymously.
Are online psychological help sessions They are essential for all people who have seen how their mental health has suffered due to confinement and want to regain vitality and well-being in their daily lives.
