Concerns rise over mental health impact of isolation over coronavirus
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Several countries across continents are closing borders and major cities with millions of people are under lockdown.
Governments around the world are promoting “social distancing” as one of the ways to stop the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.
But health workers are urging governments to also look at the additional cost of exclusion and loneliness among the most vulnerable.
Reactions to the crisis can include feeling overwhelmed, fearful, sad, angry and helpless, according to experts. Some people may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Fear of contact with others, travelling on public transport or going into public spaces may increase, and some people will have physical symptoms, such as an increased heart rate or upset stomach.
The World Health Organization has acknowledged that the crisis is generating stress, and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety or distress.
Read the full WHO document on coronavirus and mental health here
Quarantine or self-isolation is likely to have a negative impact on mental wellbeing. A review of the psychological impact of quarantine published in the Lancet in February said: “Separation from loved ones, the loss of freedom, uncertainty over disease status, and boredom can, on occasion, create dramatic effects. Suicide has been reported, substantial anger generated, and lawsuits brought following the imposition of quarantine in previous outbreaks.
“The potential benefits of mandatory mass quarantine need to be weighed carefully against the possible psychological costs.”
The WHO’s guidelines were designed to support the general population, health care workers, health care facility managers or team leaders, caretakers of children or older adults, as well as people in isolation. They tailored these recommendations to each of those groups, knowing that after the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic that anxiety about the infection could increase.
The WHO recommends that children removed from their usual routines due to the coronavirus should maintain familiar routines as much as possible. If it’s safe, try not to remove the child from their caregiver. If they must be removed and there are periods of separation, regular contact through phone or video calls should be scheduled and they should continue to play and socialize with others. Children’s anxieties may develop during this period – but that’s normal, the WHO said. Engaging in creative activities to express and communicate their feelings of fear and/or sadness can help.
“Older adults, especially in isolation and those with cognitive decline/dementia, may become more anxious, angry, stressed, agitated, and withdrawn during the outbreak/while in quarantine,” the WHO said. Emotional support from families can help solve this, but so can facts and clear information about the situation. This information can come from their family and other support networks.
