The COVID-19 Crisis: How to cope with fear and social isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic hasdzܲmultiple and suddenmental health stresses uponAmericansenmasse:isolation because of social distancing, the need to telecommute and care for children home from school, and for some,abruptunemployment.Added tothe logistical and economic burdens is the fear of contracting or dying from an illness thatdid noteven exist a few months ago – and the ramifications for children and loved ones.
But despite the risksfor anxiety and depressionthatmaycome with the COVID-19crisis, the long human experience with traumas and other stressful events suggests that the vast majority of people will get through it—and in the meantime shouldn’t try to “pathologize” the negative emotions they’re experiencing, saysDr.SusanEvans,professor ofpsychology inclinicalpsychiatryatͼ.
“Feelings of loneliness andanxiety andsadness are really normal emotionsunder the circumstances,” she said. “Most of us just needto figure outhowbest to cope with this situation while it lasts.”
Unavoidably,some will beoverwhelmed;unemployment in particular tends to take a heavy tolland is a strong risk factor for depression, as is social isolation. Chronic fear of illness affecting oneself or loved ones can lead to anxiety disorders. So can the pervasive sense of uncertainty and lack of control.
Focusing on factors that we can control,such asadhering to social distancing rules and following proper hand hygiene guidelines, is important, andavariety ofothercoping methodsalsocan help.“In my own personal network, people have come up with very creative ways to manage the social isolation, including the use of social media to create ‘virtual happy hours’ and ‘virtual house parties,’”Dr. Evanssaid. “The fact that there is physical distance between people doesn’t mean they have to be emotionally apart, and these virtual meetups also have the benefit that they give people something to look forward to—even to dress up for.”
Itcan alsohelpto engage intried and true techniques for managingadversity.Within the social distancing restrictions posed bythe COVID-19 crisis,these may include doing exercise workouts at home, practicing mindfulness and other meditative techniques to keep from ruminatingon worst-case scenarios, eating well,avoiding too much consumption of frightening COVID-19news,andgetting adequatesleep.Dr. Evans suggestedalsohavinga daily scheduleto reduce the natural tendency towards disorganization—which can be stressful in itself—in a home environment where telecommutingcompetesfor time with housework, cooking, and looking afterchildren.
“Try to get a routine going—schedule your work hours, your housework hours, and then your social time,” she said.
We also help ourselves when we assistothers who are lonely and stressed,even bycallingor textingthem to relieve their low mood andsense ofisolation.“Giving of ourselvestends to provideuswith a lot of mental health benefits,”Dr. Evanssaid.
People whose anxiety or depression is interfering with their daily functioning can avail themselves ofonline or telephonecounseling, Dr. Evans said.Practitioners at the fee-for-serviceWeill Cornell Specialty Centerin Manhattan and Westchester are seeing clients, mostly via telehealth; some initial visits are in person, based on symptom severity.New York State, with the help of thousands of volunteer mental health professionals,alsooffers a freeCOVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline(844-863-9314).
It may be usefulas wellto remember that thepandemicwill notlast forever—and indeed all thedistancing measures, as stressful as they may be, arein place to bring the crisis to an end as quickly as possible.
“I would hesitate topredictthat many people are going to suffer long-term,adverse psychiatric effects from the fear and socialisolationthat havecome with this crisis,”Dr. Evans said. “People in general are incredibly resilient.”
All of us atͼunderstand that this is a difficult time for all New Yorkers. As experts in immunology, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine, we are working diligently to provide the greatest possible care to patients in need.
We are available to all NewYorkerswho have questions or concerns. Please call our hotline at (646) 697-4000 for information about COVID-19 or read ourpatient guide.