COVID-19 and its three demons: DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, and FEAR

COVID-19 has three demons attached to it: DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, and FEAR. 

 

Depression is on the rise and fear has become a normal emotion that people are learning to live with, notice I didn't say cope with I said live with. 

 

A third of Americans show signs of clinical depression and anxiety. These and other mental conditions are becoming amplified during the recent pandemic, while COVID-19 patients and their families are also at high risk to develop depression and anxiety.

 

Maurizio Fava, psychiatrist-in-chief, within the Massachusetts General Hospital, is not surprised by the correlation between mental health conditions and COVID-19. “It’s quite understandable the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to cause significant stress and psychological distress for a large proportion of the population,” he says. “And we know the rates are progressively increasing.”

 

According to Dr. Fava, there are various factors related to COVID-19 that contribute to the increase in depression rates, including:

• Trauma from widespread disease
• Grief over losses of life
• Fear of getting sick
• Unprecedented physical distancing
• Financial concerns, including unemployment and housing insecurity
• Loss of community
• Reduced access to caregivers

Symptoms of depression include:

• Unusual sadness or irritability, persisting even when circumstances change
• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed; reduced feelings of anticipation
• Changes in weight
• Shifts in sleep patterns
• Sluggishness
• Harsh self-assessment (“I’m ugly. I’m no good. I’ll never make friends.”)
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness
• Suicidal ideation 

Four Classic Types of Psychological Depression:

1. Normal or Situational Depression
2. Masked or Hidden Depression
3. Neurotic Depression
4. Psychotic Depression

SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder - occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal.Treatment includes light therapy (phototherapy), talk therapy, and medications.

 

Scriptures to Memorize if you are feeling depressed:

• Psalm 130:5
• Psalm 54:4
• Psalm 42:11
• Phil 4:8
• Phil 4:6-7
• James 1:12
• Prov 15:22
• Isaiah 43:2
• Job 6:10
• Jeremiah 29:11

 

credits: "Modern Love" final scene with Anne Hathaway