Anxiety, fear and uncertainty around the pandemic have made people feel negative, anxious, and in some cases, out of control. And this, along with feelings of isolation and loneliness have only increased due to the social distancing required.
The isolation and social distancing imposed by governments around the world has certainly not had a positive impact on mental health, as one might imagine.
What social distancing and isolation is doing to our mental health
According to many leading psychiatrists, loneliness and isolation can be quite toxic to the body. In fact, something which they used to see in older patients only is now prevalent in younger ones too.
Past pandemics have resulted in adverse health consequences for mental health. Since the COVID-19 breakout in the UK, for example, the mental health outcomes have been similar. This study concluded that psychological morbidity was evident among UK participants – and found to be more widespread among younger people, women and those individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
In a survey where more than 7,000 older men and women participated, 12.8% participants reported that they felt much worse in the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HADS) scale since the lockdown. Female participants reported feeling more lonely and had trouble sleeping.
In this research where UK residents aged 18 and older were surveyed, it was revealed that, among other things, one of the immediate impact of the pandemic lockdown was a psychological and emotional loss which led to the participants losing motivation and a sense of self-worth.
This study* looked into over 10 million Google searches in order to assess the changes in people’s search queries around mental health or topics related to mental health, after the pandemic lockdown was imposed. Topics related to suicidal ideation, negative thoughts and emotions, anxiety, and trouble sleeping were among the highest topics that were searched for.
A British study* with 27 participants evaluated the impact of social distancing in the early days of the lockdown. It was discovered that the isolation led to highly negative impacts on mental health within a short time of the lockdown policy implementation. Reduced social interaction, economic uncertainty and daily routine changes were mainly to blame for the emotional and psychological stress.
Another study reported that children and adolescents are likely to experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, even after the lockdown ends.
Will stress, anxiety and depression continue to rise due to social distancing?
Unfortunately, social distancing and isolation will likely increase feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and fear. As human beings, we are ‘programmed’ to be social and interactive beings and maintaining isolation during these tough times can take a toll on our mental health and wellbeing.
Add to it the economic downturn and burden of the pandemic, increase in inequality and poverty, among other things, and we’re only going to see a higher and more adverse impact on mental health.