People with mental illnesses generally struggle with a lot of disturbances within. Be it Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Neurosis, Phobia, Schizophrenia, or any other disorder, it is usually very difficult to adapt to the external circumstances. In addition to treatment and therapy, it takes a lot of effort for the individual to manage this adaptation. Those who have been well otherwise, have started experiencing milder symptoms in the form of negative thoughts and apprehension and anxiety. Those who already have illness are experiencing an increase in the intensity of their symptoms.
With the lockdown, where even the so called normal people have faced difficulty managing their emotions, those with mental illnesses have been literally thrown out of balance. Anxiety and fear has kind of taken over all of them. Depression has deepened as there is an uncertainty over resumption of work. Suicidal ideas and even attempts may have gone up as a sense of despair and doom has set for a lot of them. Those who were trying to get themselves some professional stability, have serious hopelessness.
Due to these apprehensions and anxiety, sleeping problems have increased significantly. The daily routine has got derailed and hence whatever improvement had happened so far has regressed back significantly.
Financial slowdown has made it difficult for families to sustain costly treatment resulting in aggravation of conditions. Panic attacks have not only increased in those who have mental illness but also for the general population.
Being separated from family or loved ones stuck in lockdown or in quarantine has added to their woes. There have been some who have broken up just because they couldn’t manage the long separation and couldn’t deal with the stressful situation at their ends.
For children, especially Those with special needs like learning disability, hyperactivity, etc. It’s been a challenge to deal with the online mode of education as the pressure of academics has not really reduced. Parents, schools, etc. have been worried about the academic year causing much stress for children, teachers and parents. Parents too are going through their share of problems. With most of the education happening online, parents are getting stressed over the kids demand for electronic gadgets and are feeling helpless.
For the children with Autism and other developmental disorders, the disruption in routine has significantly affected their behaviour. This, singly, is one of the biggest problems to deal with for these children. They are unable to deal with any small change in their routine and parents and therapists have to work hard to build a routine for them. Now, since all physical therapies are shut, and the children are home bound, their behavioural problems have increased significantly. Also, since the children need many therapies, a financial setback also is a big contributor to their problems.
In general children have been showing signs of stress in terms of behaviour change–irritability, shouting, stubbornness, clinging to parents, nightmares, bedwetting, etc. conflicts in siblings and fights have also increased. Increased time on the screen–TV, phones and tab, have also made children more irritable and reactive.
There is an increasing need for mental health support and people have to actively seek professional help. With proper guidance and therapy things can be managed well. Almost all mental health experts are available for online consultation and therapy and one should connect with them early if there is need. Also when in confusion, whether you need help or not–by default, have one session with the expert. You will get clarity about yourself.
Inputs from -Dr. Aditya Tiwari
Consultant Homoeopath, Psychiatrist and Art based therapist at Angel’s Clinic, Mumbai
