COVID-19 has ravaged the modern world, infecting almost 14 million people worldwide and killing almost 600,000. There is no denying that coronavirus is the greatest medical danger facing the world today, but the magnitude of death and disease has heavily distracted from the danger of other health issues. Behind the ever-changing vaccine updates, exponential fatality toll, and your grandma’s handsewn masks lies a very serious mental health crisis. The societal consequences of COVID-19 are much deeper than just the death toll; increased anxiety, economic burdens, and false information are all contributing to a psychological pandemic that, for some, could be more dangerous than the virus itself.
The primary source of anxiety and fear during the pandemic has been the sudden adjustment to a world of unknowns. Disrupted routines, unemployment, and school closures are sharp contrasts from the previously ordered society in which everything was easily predicted. “Mass fear of COVID-19, rightly termed as ‘corona phobia ,’ is likely due to the uncertain character and unpredictable course of the disease” (Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19). Economic stress has undoubtedly contributed to this fear, especially in countries where businesses and industries at risk of spreading coronavirus have been shut down for prolonged periods of time. Also factoring into this newfound anxiety is the spread of false information. From scammers to conspiracy theorists to misinformed loudmouths, unverified medical information is only a click away from the actual health announcements. Without their usual social outlets to rely on, many turn to more harmful alternatives. “U.S. sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in the week ending March 21st, according to market research firm Nielsen… Online alcohol sales were up 243%” (Associated Press). These numbers stand as qualitative witness to the rise of anxiety nationwide, and evidence why the mental health crisis must be addressed. All of these issues together have created a snowball effect of panic, furthering the worries and fears of people across the world.
Coupling terribly well with this increase of fear and anxiety is a rise in depression levels among the general public. Flattening the curve requires finding creative solutions to halt personal interaction; quarantining at home or mandating city-wide curfews. While these solutions are necessary to protect citizens from contracting the virus, they provide an opportunity for the perfect storm of mental illness in everyday households. A survey from Healthline Media measured the frequency of depression using the PHQ-4 scale. “49 percent of respondents showed some signs of depression, ranging from mild to severe... Historically, that number is around 37 percent” (What COVID-19 Is Doing to Our Mental Health). A 12% increase in depression is detrimental in any situation, but especially harmful during a pandemic, when medical attention is primarily set on solving a global health emergency. A similar scenario was observed several years ago in China during the SARS emergency: “Social disengagement, mental stress, and anxiety at the time of the SARS epidemic among a certain group of older adults resulted in an exceptionally high rate of suicide deaths” (The impact of epidemic outbreak: the case of severe acute respiratory syndrome and suicide among older adults in Hong Kong). The death toll of coronavirus is large enough; even more fatalities would add to the tragedy.
Psychological consequences during global health emergencies are not new, especially among those working in healthcare. A study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine during the 2007 SARS outbreak concluded that “about one third or more of the nurses caring for SARS patients developed symptomatic depression, PTSD, and insomnia in contrast to the lower prevalence of these problems in non-SARS unit nurses” (Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation of the nurses in a structured SARS caring unit during outbreak: a prospective and periodic assessment study in Taiwan). However, it is important to note that the study only observed healthcare workers rather than the common person. Although those in medicine are understandably affected more by the trauma of a global pandemic, they are also one of the only professions to have any form of experience with epidemiology on a global scale. Even with history’s experience of psychological ramifications in past global health emergencies (Bubonic Plague, 1912 Influenza), COVID-19 has presented an entirely new set of obstacles to a society lacking the medical resources to defeat it on either the physiological or psychological stage.
Mental health issues by themselves are dangerous enough, but the incredible amount of stress COVID-19 has placed on individuals dealing with economic, social, and emotional problems is leading to physiological consequences as well. “There was a significant increase in the incidence of stress cardiomyopathy during the COVID-19 period [among approximately 256 subjects], with a total of 20 patients with stress cardiomyopathy (incidence proportion, 7.8%), compared with pre-pandemic timelines, which ranged from 5 to 12 patients with stress cardiomyopathy” (Journal of the American Medical Association). Along with this surge of stress cardiomyopathy (commonly called Broken Heart Syndrome or Takotsubo syndrome), COVID-19 is affecting marginalized communities in unusual ways. In India, for example, authorities sprayed migrant workers with large amounts of disinfectant, evidencing a situation in which fear of contagion was prioritized over basic human rights and physical safety. The link between mental deterioration and poor physical health is one of growing importance; COVID-19 has evidenced this more than ever.
Although the first priority of medicine right now is containing and defeating COVID-19, medical professionals cannot ignore the additional psychological epidemic caused by the virus. In a world of unknowns, anxiety and depression levels are skyrocketing and, in some cases, leading to issues like stress cardiomyopathy, alcoholism, and ultimately suicide. The physical impact of COVID-19 should not overshadow the psychological impact so much that a growing mental illness crisis is ignored or forgotten. Conquering the coronavirus requires overcoming this crisis, providing services and access to mental healthcare as well as physical. With the proper resources and growing awareness, we can defeat every part of this pandemic and put it in the history books once and for all.
References
Associated Press. Booze Buying Surges; Senators Push Airlines for Cash Refunds. 31 March 2020.
Yip PS, Cheung YT, Chau PH, Law YW. The impact of epidemic outbreak: the case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and suicide among older adults in Hong Kong. Crisis. 2010;31(2):86-92. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000015
Su T.P., Lien T.C., Yang C.Y., Su Y.L., Wang J.H., Tsai S.L. Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation of the nurses in a structured SARS caring unit during outbreak: a prospective and periodic assessment study in Taiwan. J Psychiatr Res. 2007
Written by Anna Cernich
Edited by Zain Qureshi
Graphics by London San Luis
Advised by Aashima Sagar
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