The Pandemic has made many people feel more stressed and emotional. The COVID-19 virus, which is spreading around the world, is causing this kind of stress. Those who have contracted it are mostly younger people and women. The virus has also left people more depressed and anxious than before.
Stress
While many people have experienced stress and anxiety after the pandemic, some groups are more affected than others. Various studies have examined the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of different racial and ethnic groups. In one study, people with Hispanic or Black ethnicity showed greater levels of depressive symptoms and a heightened fear of the virus.
Anxiety
In a recent study, researchers found that the pandemic increased the likelihood of depression and anxiety, particularly among those with low anxiety. People with moderate anxiety were also more worried about climate change, but those with severe anxiety reported no change in their state of mind. In the study, participants did not report any prior history of depression or anxiety, but their mental health scores indicated common experiences of anxiety and mild depression. This finding was not significantly different from other studies.
Depression
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to increased rates of depression. Several studies have shown that depressive disorders are a major cause of disease and economic burden, and the World Health Organization (WHO) lists depression among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. This research is particularly important in the aftermath of a pandemic, as the lack of social interaction and the lockdown may have increased feelings of isolation and depressive symptoms in some individuals. Researchers suggest that interventions targeting this vulnerable population may be necessary.
Post-intensive care syndrome
Patients who have spent long periods of time in the intensive care unit (ICU) can develop a condition known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This condition can lead to severe depression, anxiety, and other emotional symptoms, and it can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life.
Disconnection
One of the key questions in this study is whether the pandemic has caused people to be more emotionally vulnerable. The results suggest that it has, and that the results may be useful to policy makers and mental health workers. Specifically, the results suggest that future resources should be allocated to population-wide programs and interventions that target vulnerable groups. Furthermore, clinicians and mental health workers should prioritize interventions for individuals experiencing negative emotions and internalizing symptoms. For example, clinicians should focus on reducing the negative effects of social isolation among young people with psychiatric disorders.
Guilt
Psychological responses to a pandemic are influenced by geographical and sociocultural factors. For example, UK residents may be more likely to experience a variety of emotions in response to the pandemic than those in other regions. Furthermore, the media plays a central role in shaping perceptions of a crisis. These media messages can highlight individual guilt, hope, and constructive action.
Shame
During the COVID pandemic, shame was often felt by the affected population. This emotion fueled secrecy and chilling of open communication about the disease. One example of a negative consequence of COVID shame is the failure of some people to get tested for the virus. Psychologist Crystal Clark observed that despite the warnings, many people refused to undergo testing. This shame, she said, was a result of the official public health language that has stressed the responsibility of individuals to protect themselves and others.
Anger
One way to understand this phenomenon is by looking at the results of a recent Pew survey of nearly 5,000 American adults. According to the survey, people with lower incomes were most fearful of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that the pandemic is unequally affecting people of different economic and societal backgrounds.
Disgust
Some researchers believe that women are more vulnerable to the effects of a pandemic than men. However, only a few studies have been done to examine the mechanisms underlying this difference. Women also tend to take on more responsibilities than men, and they are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. Others believe that gender differences in pathogen disgust may be a contributing factor to greater fear during a pandemic.