At beginning of COVID-19, people were in shock and fear. Many decided to hide at home in response to uncertainty. Six months into pandemic, the emergence of anxiety, depression, OCD and eating disorder is evident in the clinic. The severity and prevalence is unusual, though expected.
Several factors have contributed to the increased needs for mental health, including direct threats from an unknown disease, social isolation, and change of daily routines. While social distancing stops the spread of COVID-19, it also leads to sense of loneliness, social isolation and disconnection from others. The effects of social distancing will continue to carry through this winter with expected worsening depression and anxiety during holiday seasons. It is very important to focus on a structured routine. Despite we cannot change the nature course of COVID-19, maintaining a healthy daily routine is very critical for resilience, such as good quality of sleep, balanced diet and regular exercise. Yoga, walk, and meditation can also be very helpful tools to cope with stress in the pandemic.
Yupei Pearl Hu, MD, MPH 