Covid-19 Pandemic: Mental Dynamics of Quarantine and Social Isolation

Many researchers investigate the adverse effects of self-isolation, commonly known as quarantine, and social distancing on mental health ². The researchers found out that self-isolation i.e., quarantine is related to the high occurrence of mental disorders such as anxiety, stress, depression, and other related diseases. This is because the long period of quarantine and social distancing gradually leads to loneliness, which is the leading cause of psychological issues ³. In checking the psychological impacts of Covid-19, the result of the recent research conducted in 194 different cities of China that included 1210 defendants’ showed that 54% of defendants were suffering from mental health issues, where 29% reported against mild to severe anxiety indications and 17% showed severe depressive signs, thus proving that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing specific mental health issues ⁴.

Self-isolation and social distancing are considered as the ultimate way of controlling and reducing the record of positive cases of the coronavirus infection across the globe. Besides affecting the physical activities, quarantine has a prodigious result on mental health, and it so has negative adverse effects on the psychological state of the people ⁵. Research studies conducted showed that the effects of quarantine could vary from intermediate to moderate on mental health ⁶. Quarantine causes and produces petulance, antagonism, confusion, distress, lonesomeness, repudiation, anxiety, depression, hysteria, misery, and generates suicidal thoughts ⁷. The social distancing effects can be intensified by the person suffering from the disease or doubt about the disease development, inadequate source of basic life necessities, unsupportive family, and improper communication methods ⁸. As a result, the following manifestation of mental illnesses may be recorded. 

Anxiety is the most common concern of mental illness amongst the general public. Due to the current epidemic situation, it is on its increase amongst the general public, both youngsters and adults. The increasing rate of anxiety in adults is due to the lockdown situation. All work and social activities such as the educational institutes are closed and replaced with distance learning and staying at home ⁹. The research was conducted in different regions including South-Eastern Asia, Southern Europe, Southern, and Northern America and Western Europe on both males and females, varying between 25-60 out of 1091 and 974 (89.3%) maintaining social isolation and 823 (75.4%) were suffering from anxiety. This rate is considered alarming ¹⁰.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can result in patients that are already suffering from anxiety issues ¹¹. People suffering from OCD could develop invasive thoughts regarding the virus; thus, constant checking of temperature, extensive washing, and sterilization can occur, which increases the results of fears in the patients ². Most of the Covid-19 patients and health workers developed the symptoms of PTSD. Among the 714 Covid-19 patients from the hospital in Wuhan, China, the results of PTSD manifested ¹². Whereas, children locked up in their homes away from the educational activities and friends have also developed the symptoms of PTSD. A research study in the town of Wuhan showed that 30% of school-going children showed the symptoms of PTSD ¹³.

Stress is also one of the common and lethal mental issues emanating during the pandemic as it causes several effects. It can occur for many reasons, including the fear of contracting the disease, loss of a job, and financial issues ¹⁴. Stress can lead to,

Insomnia 

Bad sleeping and eating habits

Lack of concentration

The excessive use of drugs

It can even deteriorate other mental and health problems adversely ¹²

Everyone responds differently against stress, and it depends on certain factors, including background, friends, family, partner, financial status, health, and society. However, people who are suffering from mental health issues already featured as homeless, having financial instabilities, disabilities, living in a minor group, children, teens, and front health line workers may react very strongly to the stress because of certain features affecting their mind ¹⁵.

Depression affects both mental and physical health. Besides changing the eating and sleeping patterns, it also affects the thoughts; it changes the person's perspective to see the world. According to WHO, 264 million people worldwide are suffering from depression because of the current pandemic. The condition is getting worse because people suffering from such mental health issues are more prone to contracting the disease, whereas getting the proper medication is also the main issue. After all, living in quarantine is preventing the sessions and other activities ¹⁶. People with depression due to Covid-19 have feelings of hopelessness and uncertainties regarding their future or finances. Ultimately, the fact that there is no proper treatment or vaccination against Covid-19 is causing more distress. ¹⁷

There are a lot of causes behind the mental and emotional health issues arising from Covid-19. These are uncertainties generated in public, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. Some of these issues are fears of:

Contracting the disease and transmitting it to others

Death ¹⁸

Loss of job, poor financial state and its impact on the household

Not getting proper health treatment 

Limited food supply

Social exclusion

Powerlessness and helplessness

Staying away from a loved one(s) and the inability to protect them

Education (as the schools and universities are closed, and admissions are postponed)

Boredom and loneliness because of social distancing ¹⁹

There are specific ways to improve mental health during the pandemic to keep oneself and loved ones away from psychological issues: 

As most of the physical activities are reduced and also gyms, parks, etc. are closed. Efforts to remain physically active would help boost immunity, reduce blood pressure, control weight, and reduce the chance of strokes, diabetes, and several other diseases that have more chance in the case of persons already infected coronavirus ²⁰. Opting for light, intense physical exercises such as walking, jumping, stretching, and lifting accompanied by yoga, aerobics, and mediation would further increase flexibility, increase muscle and balance, and improve bone strength. Adding exercise to daily routine would improve mental health and an excellent way to fight against stress ²¹.

Due to the pandemic, movements are restricted. People are working, teaching, learning and studying from home, lack of physical contact with friends and family, no social gatherings and activities, and temporary unemployment has burdened the mind, which in return results in several mental issues ²². Therefore, employing the following can help in taking care of mental health: 

Make a routine and try to add all the activities from exercise to reading, from watching movies to cooking. Make sleep patterns better by sleeping early and getting up early. Schedule work routine along with the home routine and take proper rests at intervals. Make room for things you enjoy; read books, watch movies, and listen to music. Similarly, adding exercise and meditation in daily routine can help ²³.

Watch official news channels on the television; reading verified news from official websites like that of WHO, CDC, can help keep the mind aware of all the information regarding the virus and precautions to take from time to time. But if watching such news makes a person feel distressed or uncomfortable, then it is recommended that watching such news be discontinued ²⁴.

Using excessive drugs can further increase the chance of getting infected with the virus as it weakens the immune system ²⁶. Avoid taking any drug, including tobacco, alcohol, etc., to reduce stress or depression. This is because if any problem or emergency arises due to the use of such drugs, the hospitals may not be accessible since hospitals are already not considered safe in such a time as this ²⁵. 

Working, studying, and learning has increased screen usage, which is not a healthy sign for the body as it affects proper eyesight and can cause memory issues. Therefore, maintaining a gap when using the screen is essential. Also, its usage should be limited ²⁷.

During quarantine, it is good to seize the time to increase in knowledge by reading books and articles. This will also help in remaining stress-free. Watching movies with good morals also serves as the right way of reducing stress ²⁸. Playing video games is also an excellent way to feel less distressed and relax the mind while sitting at home ²⁹.

Maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet would improve the body's ability to fight against certain diseases by boosting the immune system. Healthy dieting is considered one of the primary sources of prevention against Coronavirus ³⁰. There are several essential tips for maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some of them:

Add a fresh variety of vegetables and fruits to diet, especially those containing vitamin C.

Take proteins in the form of meat, eggs, milk, and fish.

Intake of natural probiotics like yogurt will help to recover from GI problems.

Also, taking wholegrain such as wheat, maize. Proper intake of rice and lentils is also necessary ³¹.

Across the world, schools are closed. Kids are at home and are affected more than adults as they feel more isolated, lonely, bored, and can develop certain types of fears. Hence, parents must find out ways to keep their kids out of these unhealthy situations. Engaging them in activities and discussions regarding the virus and other matters could be helpful. Also, tell kids specific stories and encouraging them to read books ³².