Quarantined with Mental Illness

As COVID-19 derails our routines and normal life as we knew it, I can't help but wonder how this is affecting people with mental illness.

There are more obvious mental health issues arising, like the increase in anxiety and depression from being isolated or losing your job or missing human contact. There are people who are unable to meet with their therapists and doctors. An early study of 1210 people in China found that 53% would rate the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate to severe. Symptoms of moderate to severe depression were admitted by 16% and moderate to severe anxiety was found in 28%. The study was conducted between January 31st and February 2nd...I imagine the numbers now would be even higher.

Alternatively there are some who are enjoying this forced separation. I'm putting together a post about narcolepsy and have found quite a few people who usually have to spend much of their time at home. With everyone being forced to live this way for now they feel less alienated, are missing out on less.

This morning I saw an article about social distancing on the psych ward and it expanded my view on the mental illness impacts of COVID-19. How do you keep patients away from each other in a small unit comprised of mostly shared spaces?? I immediately imagined the inpatient psych unit where I spent 6 weeks on rotation last year. With no cell phones or iPods or radios allowed, their days were often spent in the small dining area together or squeezing onto a small couch in front of the one television on the unit. If they are being isolated in their rooms that means 24 hours a day of looking at dull gray or tan walls, looking out a small window maybe. Reading something from their small collection of books. It can't be very conducive to healing the mind to say the least. Other than figuring out how to spend their time, imagine how someone without a clear sense of reality is reacting to people wanting to stay away from them, even their doctors and nurses. Patients with paranoia might be triggered into a downward spiral.

My heart goes out to people with substance use disorders (at all times, and especially now). The pull of addiction is so strong that it leads to sharing needles, it won't be stopped by hearing on the news that we're supposed to stay 6 feet apart. My pharmacy provides medication for a rehab facility and we learned the other day that a few people had gotten the virus, causing some employees to flee.

Personally, I'm thankful to have a job that is considered essential and that doesn't require me to come in contact with the public.

Stay safe. <3

[Currently reading: The Emperor of All Maladies, highly recommend!]