– Due to the pandemic, we close ourselves in solitude, because we are allowed to do so in the lockdown. And we swear in front of the TV set or take a bottle of wine, vodka, a number of cans of beer and drink it “in the mirror” – says prof. Janusz Heitzman, psychiatrist.
- 20 percent of the Polish population will struggle with mental health problems. In absolute numbers, this means hundreds of thousands of people. Our mental health care system can’t handle it
- The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more frequent use of psychoactive drugs: anxiolytics, antidepressants, sleeping pills and sedatives. Sales of such pharmaceuticals have increased significantly
- Reports on suicide helplines have increased, and the internet has halved the traffic to pages with advice on dealing with acute panic and anxiety
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Edyta Brzozowska, Medonet: Can we talk today about the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on the mental condition of Poles?
Prof. Janusz Heitzman, psychiatrist: We are dealing with the rolling effects of a pandemic. This burden is felt by the entire population, not just individuals. On the one hand, we must therefore talk about the psychological consequences and symptoms of disorders that are revealed by people suffering from COVID-19. On the other hand, it is about a group of those who feel the social consequences of the pandemic and do not get sick themselves, although at the same time live under the pressure of the psychological burden of the pandemic destroying the world in which they have lived so far. The mental resistance of both groups is weakening.
What will be the social consequences of this weakening?
The protracted coronavirus epidemic significantly increases the burden on mental health: from being surprised by the new reality to the emergence of symptoms of failure in the area of psychological mechanisms responsible for coping with difficult situations.
Are we starting to cope worse and worse?
And the worse we do, the greater the risk of depression and post-stress disorder. There are also new disorders closely related to the pandemic. These are adaptive disorders that make us less and less able to adapt to new situations. For example, combining remote work with doing homework with children at home, when learning takes place online. Neither one nor the other can be done properly, so it’s hard for us to find a way to function well. So we are so overwhelmed by new situations that we find it difficult to adapt to them.
- Take the test: Can I be depressed?
How does this affect our personality?
It can be assumed that lockdown will limit openness in relationships, we will be distrustful of each other. There are many examples: we want to go on a date, but there is uncertainty lurking in the back of our head: is this person infected by any chance? Or maybe he has an asymptomatic coronavirus? So how do you kiss her?
This type of developing distrust in mutual relationships will have consequences in terms of feelings of frustration. Because when we do not have the opportunity to express our emotions, say “I love you” directly, and not on-line, our impatience, irritation, impulsiveness and aggressiveness increase.
Do these negative emotions emanate from all aspects of our lives?
Of course. They are felt by family and colleagues. But most of all we feel them on ourselves. Because we are dissatisfied with ourselves, we are filled with rage that we cannot meet our needs. Your criticism sharpens and we protest against what is closest. Our frustration “for everything” easily finds opportunities to discharge it, just give it an impulse. When this impulse is not there, we start looking for another way out.
Where do we find them?
Most often we close ourselves in our loneliness, because we are allowed in lockdown conditions, and we curse in front of the TV set. Or we take a bottle of wine, vodka, a number of beer cans and drink it “in the mirror”. It is already visible in world studies: the COVID-19 pandemic has caused more frequent use of psychoactive substances, including soft drugs, anxiolytics, antidepressants, sleeping pills and sedatives. In recent times, sales of this type of pharmaceuticals have increased by as much as 20 percent.
How do those who do not use psychoactive substances cope?
An American study in August this year, published in the medical journal JAMA, found that the number of reports on suicide helplines increased by 11 percent.
The Internet, on the other hand, has seen a XNUMX% increase in traffic to pages on advice on how to deal with acute panic and anxiety. People don’t know how to deal with the problem of depressed mood and emotional distress.
Is it bad that they want to find out about it all from the Internet?
Yes and no. Because this, in turn, is related to the so-called infodemia, i.e. with the pandemic of the flood of information about the coronavirus and what bad can happen to us.
Lockdown and the related change in the rhythm of life also affect us?
Of course. Because thanks to the limitations, we started to operate in a completely different pattern of work and performance of duties. We think: “I’m not going to work, so I can do a lot more”. It usually ends with a laptop on our lap that we lie in bed all day. It’s neither sleep, nor rest, nor work. We take naps during the day. The consequence of this is sleep disturbance at night. This, in turn, causes the build-up of chronic fatigue.
And the possibilities for recreation and active rest are limited.
Yes, after all, gyms and swimming pools are closed, participation in team games in gyms and sports fields is not possible. In addition, the weather becomes unfavorable for walking or jogging. To all this is added existential fear, we are beginning to be haunted by the question: “What if I get sick?”.
And this is also: “What will happen when I die?”
And many others. About situations with no way out, about loneliness, for the fate of family and friends. Every day we learn that the number of cases is increasing and that more and more people are dying. Children are more and more anxious, they ask: «Mommy, is it true that we are all going to die? Because they said that on TV? ».
Children feeling threatened – feeling that their life is running at a completely different rhythm than until recently, that parents and grandparents are afraid – they sleep worse, complain of headaches, feel worse, are weakened. Of course, not only children, but also their parents and other adults worried about their economic situation, begin to feel paralyzed in life energy.
We are at risk of something like post-pandemic post-traumatic stress?
All social stressors to which we are exposed, insecurity, uncertainty about sufficient state care, overload of medical services cause trauma and acute stress reactions. But they are different from the ones we know because they don’t last for hours, days or weeks. Pandemic stress disorders will stay with us longer after the epidemic is over, even for many years. They can also reveal themselves with a significant delay.
What will be the consequences of this “post-pandemic”?
Of course, not everyone will fall victim to it and will require psychological therapy. It all depends on the predisposing factors. People who earlier reveal mental disorders and instability will be subjected to stressors sooner. Those with stronger defenses will do better. And the catastrophic vision that I am having here will not affect everyone.
But I estimate 20 percent of the population will bear this pandemic cross. In absolute numbers, it will not be enough, because it means hundreds of thousands of people. Unfortunately, the mental health care system cannot handle it. Because how? There are not enough psychiatrists, community care is slowly crawling.
How can we help ourselves?
The pandemic is a new experience because it is a particular chronic stressor. We are not sure how long it will last and how long we will struggle with its consequences. Therefore, let us be kind to each other, because we need mutual support. It can keep us from feeling completely alone. In a pandemic, let us show understanding for others, let us show solidarity. And although otherwise, let us maintain our relationships with others. I will repeat after our Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk: let’s be tender for each other. Sensitive to the suffering of others and their emotional states filled with anxiety and panic.
psychiatrist, director of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Clinic of Forensic Psychiatry in Warsaw. A specialist in the field of social pathology, psychiatry and forensic psychiatry
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