Stress has emerged as a new challenge in the time of COVID-19 and staying at home for a long time can be annoying.
The fear of spread of the virus, isolation, and daily news of infection and deaths, has kept people busy at home who are otherwise preoccupied with sorting out supply of essential commodities and daily chores.
At the same time, it has raised the level of anxiousness too. For instance, news about relatives and friends stuck abroad where the impact has been worse has also escalated that sense of nervousness amongst the people.
And with over 15 lakh Goas, along with 130-odd crore Indians, going into lockdown since March 22, this has been an unprecedented situation for everyone from all walks of life. Several psychologists and counsellors are involved in offering consultations via the phone, video and other online communication tools, since then.
Fortunately, the anxiety rate among Goans is far lower than in certain parts of the country, and several countries where depression and anxiety among the people have increased.
Psychologist Shobika Jaju said that people from different age groups are responding to the curfew differently. Health-related anxiety has been common amongst these. Jaju recently started two WhatsApp groups with members from Goa, different parts of India and the world, wherein she shares tips to cope up with the situation.
“I am currently handling a lot of online therapies. In fact, I have noticed a spike in health anxiety. On an average, it is common to worry about health but with COVID-19, there is a spike in health anxiety,” she said as she explained that for a mentally and emotionally strong individual, the pandemic outrage has resulted in anxiousness.
Jaju admitted that COVID-19 related anxiety cases are not higher but the issue is prevalent among different sectors, right from the working class to senior citizens, students and even homemakers. The worry, among some individuals is also because their loved-ones are stuck out of the State or country.
“Not able to step out of the house, lack of freedom, concern for your loved ones living far away are prominent reasons for anxiety,” Jaju, attached with a counselling centre in South Goa, added.
Krystal Cardozo, a Psychologist based in Panjim, shares a similar opinion citing change in lifestyle owing to the lockdown.
“Absolutely, there are people who are trying to cope up with it (the lockdown) in addition to the fact that it has changed people’s lifestyles. They are having some difficulty with it. There are also people with ongoing psychological issues who need to be attended to. They are also getting therapies either online or via phone calls, although we understand that it may not substitute the therapy carried out in person,” she said.
There have also been instances wherein negativity has increased in troubled families, albeit not all. Similar, uncertainty over the duration of the lockdown has also led to a feeling of restlessness amongst the public.
While attending to students, some of whom are concerned about their examinations; uncertainty about the commencement of the academic year as per the original schedule as well as admissions in higher secondaries and colleges – the psychologists are also handling cases wherein people have lost their jobs.
“I am in contact with individuals abroad who are not on contract but have lost their jobs. Companies which are down, sliding due to the pandemic, are laying off their employees. Even regular employees have either been laid off or given a notice period. This is the situation in India and in Goa as well,” added Cardozo, who has an experience of around nine years in this field.
Jaju, who is also a career counsellor, said that anxiety among students is of academic nature. as she continues to post tips motivating people for a stress-free life, on her WhatsApp groups.
“Anxiety is acute in nature and depression is more severe. Both are chronic and need help… but the ones who are depressed are not reaching out much but the ones who are anxious are reaching out more,” she said further, while describing the type of cases she has been handling.
In the wake of the challenges arising due to the pandemic, Counselling Psychologist, Zaneta D’Mello thought of forming a team with her colleagues, Lareina D’Souza and Lesly Goes to provide free telephonic counselling. Being in the mental health field, they felt the need to provide counselling services in order to combat the mental health issues that may arise during this time.
“This initiative was started on March 26, 2020 and since then we have had around 10 people in the adolescent to young adult age group, who have reached out to us for individual counselling sessions. With the current lockdown that we are experiencing, we found that people have undergone a major shift in their regular routine and have difficulty in adjusting and coping to the present living situation. Social distancing has also caused people to feel isolated and lonely. In addition to this, their worries, anxieties and stress have also increased,” D’Mello said.
They have been recommending people to follow simple tips – Try to limit the number of times, we expose ourselves to information regarding the pandemic; mindfulness meditation can be an effective technique to practice during this time; attempt to develop a routine so that you can feel in control of your life; develop a new hobby or return to an old one; and try to get some fresh air by standing in the balcony or in the garden around your house while also maintaining social distancing.
“In the society we live in, we feel hesitant to reach out to counsellors because of the stigma associated with seeking help from them. However, we must remember that our mental health is as important as our physical health and it is okay to reach out to a counsellor, especially during such uncertain times,” said D’Mello said.
D’Souza concurred and further expressed her opinion, “Parents are going through a lot of stress, taking care of the household work, caring for their children, and for some, working from home. Reaching out can be a way of self-care, as one cannot pour from an empty cup. Children too may be having a hard time being at home all day and away from friends. It is important that children also receive the necessary support they need during this time.”
Goes added that taking the first step towards that direction requires courage; and as counsellors they are available to support the people through the tough journey. “Don’t be afraid to take that first step,” she said.
