How Can We Cope With ANXIETY AND WORRY Caused by Coronavirus?

The whole world is experiencing an extraordinary COVID-19 Pandemic that is changing the course of life in ways many people have never experienced before. A rapidly spreading new virus outbreak affecting the entire world naturally affects our minds and emotions as well. When people face circumstances outside their usual routine, questions automatically arise: what will happen now, and how will this change affect my life now and in the future? As the mind searches for answers, a feeling of anxiety (worry or concern) arises, to a different degree in each person.

Anxiety is a natural part of the period we are living through. One of the first things to understand is that anxiety is important for continuing our lives, because it activates the mechanisms that prompt us to take protective precautions and survive. However, keeping this feeling at a reasonable level as much as possible is just as important as accepting it.

In this article, we will share advice written by the author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do”, psychotherapist Amy Morin, which was medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Gans, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts Hospital (a Turkish translation of the book is available in Turkey).

It is normal to experience fear, anxiety, uncertainty and sadness during a global outbreak. Taking certain steps to address these feelings can help keep our minds and bodies healthy. Here are ways to help you cope with coronavirus-related stress and keep your anxiety in balance:

Follow News From Reliable Sources

This may be the most important message in this article!

Avoid media content that is deceptive, misleading, offers no useful information and cites no official source. Pay attention to reliable information from official sources explaining how to protect yourself and your community from the outbreak.

Create an Action Plan

There are always things you can do to protect yourself and reduce your risk of becoming ill. Effective handwashing and staying at home as much as possible are among the simplest and easiest precautions. Having an action plan for the outbreak helps you focus on what you really need to do. Remember, however, to follow recommendations from reliable sources!

Limit the Time You Spend on COVID-19-Related Media

Check reports about how quickly the disease is spreading or how many people are ill at set intervals. Following such content intensively may increase your anxiety. For example, check these reports 1 time per day or 1 time every 2 days. Checking more often adds nothing. You will benefit more from following developments at appropriate intervals and spending more time on enjoyable and necessary activities in your life.

Avoid Following the Crowd

Avoid copying other people's behavior, such as wearing masks or gloves, being in social settings, or performing meaningless cleaning rituals. Be aware that many people may take actions that do not work. Recommendations from a reliable national institution should determine your action plan. Remember that useless practices driven by herd behavior can have harmful consequences.

Take Good Care of Yourself

Eat a balanced diet, get plenty of sleep and engage in leisure activities. These are key to helping you stay physically and psychologically healthy during stressful times. Taking care of yourself also keeps your immune system strong.

Seek Professional Help When Needed

If coronavirus-related stress has affected your psychological well-being, you may wish to seek professional help. A mental health professional can help you cope with your fears and worries. Support can also help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Even if you cannot leave home, online therapy programs can help you obtain support. For this purpose, Turkey's Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Education and Research Association (RUHSAD) have jointly developed an initiative offering free psychologist/psychiatrist support for "healthcare workers, their spouses and children", an online Mental Health Support System that will launch this week.

Possible Mental Health Problems

Alongside mental health problems arising from an outbreak, it is important to monitor your existing emotional state. Monitoring helps you recognize whether it is getting worse.

Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Some studies have shown that people experience mental health problems for the first time during outbreaks. Adjustment problems, depression and anxiety disorders have been observed.

Researchers have found that some people may experience mental health problems for the first time during an outbreak. Adjustment problems, depression and anxiety can occur.

A study during the Ebola outbreak found an increase in psychosocial problems. Research during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak showed the emergence of various emotional symptoms, including somatoform disorders (symptoms such as pain and fatigue that cannot be fully explained by a physical cause).

Existing psychological problems may worsen. Research suggests that people who are more sensitive to stress may be in a high-risk group.

People responsible for caring for those they live with are more likely to develop emotional problems, particularly anxiety.

Taking all this into account, vulnerable people and those with greater responsibilities in their families need to pay closer attention to the precautions discussed. Mental health problems may also be experienced for the first time because of an outbreak, so people should take extra care of themselves during this period. Every pandemic has a beginning and, of course, an end. Coping with anxiety and protecting ourselves during an outbreak can be difficult. Fortunately, just as we can access accurate information, we also have ways to cope with anxiety. Wishing you peace, health and well-being…

• ALL OUR CORONAVIRUS ARTICLES