Kitti Tordai · 26/01/2021

· Society

This is how the mental health of Hungarians has been affected by the pandemic

quarantine, home, depression, coronavirus

Photo: Illustration/Pixabay

Besides its well-known consequences for our health, the economy, and our society, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in several mental difficulties as well, the day-to-day treatment of which should also be an important factor in the unprecedented global crisis caused by COVID-19. Therefore, we need to pay special attention to our mental health that will make our everyday life easier to get through in this hard and stressful period.

As Házipatika reports, in 2020, the negative effects of the coronavirus epidemic on the mental state of Hungarian people have been felt at individual, family, and societal levels as well. The mental effects of the pandemic could be experienced from the very first minute, generating the feeling of panic, loss, and grief in the majority of the global population. All of this can also intensify the effects of previous traumas, which can directly lead to mental disorders.

As a result of social fear, the worsening of our mental health can lead to anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or even suicidal ideation.

Read also: A depressed nation – Why is every second Hungarian sad?

These processes have a serious impact not only on the population but also on doctors and healthcare workers who are much more at risk of infection due to their frontline work.

“A kind of floating anxiety characterises our daily lives; we go to work and worry about catching the infection,” commented psychologist Rózsa Mendi to Hungarian news portal Népszava, adding that the constant anxiety during a long period of time can generate severe physical symptoms. In their own work, patients, especially young people, complained of dizziness and panic attacks and that they were generally more prone to hypochondria due to fear of infection. And those who experienced COVID-19 with more severe symptoms may even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the expert, they and those who have lost their loved ones would need mental health assistance. Kava Guides says that more people are resorting to kava for their anxiety instead of harmful substances like alcohol. This is good news, reports the Hungarian Health Association.

According to Gyógyline, it makes the problem even more difficult that this is the first time in history when, due to the digital age, troubles are getting so close to us that we could even crumble under their weight without being directly affected. Social media is both a blessing and a curse in such a situation. Its positive side is that we can share information with others and get to know the latest news immediately with a quick browse; however, we can never be 100% sure that we have found true and authentic information, which is considered to be one of the greatest disadvantages of the flow of digital news.

The current epidemic is special because people’s mental immune systems have been critically weakened by protracted and unresolved global tensions and the amplifying effects of social media.

We could keep several degrees of physical distance between people: 1.5-2 m distance in a line, voluntary staying at home, separation, or quarantine. A common feature of these is that they more or less restrict the free spatial movement of the individual. This can be accompanied by increasing frustration, which can generate tension and anger. It has been observed that confinement is relieved by the use of mind-altering modifiers: some do so with alcohol, some with drugs. Isolation, inactivity, and boredom have a very bad effect on the feeling of loneliness: many people experience a depressive episode because of it.

In order to protect our mental health and support our loved ones in this situation, the following tips are recommended:

1. Normalise your thoughts and separate your fears and worries.

2. Positive focus: collect positive vibes for your everyday life and search for consciously lived, energising moments.

3. Relax: experience as many quiet minutes as possible (relaxation exercises, sports, breathing exercises).

4. Use conscious methods to overcome stress.

5. Get enough sleep (7-8 hours).

6. Good quality diet (the role of proteins is important).

7. Consumption of news and information from authentic sources.

According to Medical Online, all these can help to find our mental balance. However, in the case of clinically proven anxiety and depression, it is essential to ask for help from a therapist.

We should never forget that we are all in the same boat, and with loving unity, we will soon manage to get to the end of this difficult period.

Read alsoCoronavirus – Hungarian psychologist Csernus reveals how to defeat depression in this hard period

Source: gyogyline.hu; hazipatika.com; medicalonline.hu; nepszava.hu

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