This is a strange and difficult year, and we have experienced many changes that have altered our perceptions about life. Although quarantine has been relaxed in some countries, the coronavirus is still a reality and this has transformed the way people feel, think and react. We have spent almost all of 2020 living in a different way and this has created a series of mental-health problems such as anxiety, but at the same time, an exacerbation of obsessions and paranoia can be seen, both because of the fear of getting sick or, on the contrary, the fear in those who do not believe in security measures or even don’t think that Covid-19 is something real.
Not everyone has the same approach to life and, in part, this can be seen in the way they face the coronavirus. For a large number of people, it is vital to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and, to this end, many are taking very seriously the measures and recommendations that are estimated to help prevent the propagation, such as hand disinfection, the use of masks in public spaces, and social distancing.
The use of face masks has been controversial, and the World Health Organization itself has changed its position on the issue. After months of the pandemic, governments have made their own recommendations but wearing masks, in many cases, remains a personal consideration. For some, it has become vital to use them, others dispense with them depending on the area in which they live, while another group of people is fighting against their implementation.
Many countries are relaxing the suspension of activities after a long period of time. Coexisting with the virus seems to be the next step in trying to recover the economy, while vaccines are arriving. These new measures can help people gain confidence, but they can also increase anxiety and fear as they feel more exposed.
People’s states of mind have been affected by the pandemic and the isolation. Many people have become ill, died, or lost their jobs as a result of quarantine. Emotional stress has been a common problem since the appearance of the virus. For some people, coping with the situation is easier, but others are suffering from anxiety, depression, irritability, lack of sleep, fear, and paranoia.
The fear of getting sick has paralyzed many, who are terrified of leaving their homes. This constant concern can cause emotional and mental-health problems that should be treated early. It is undeniable that these are times of uncertainty, but the extreme fear and anxiety can cause much harm, even to a person’s physical health.
Complaints, arguments and fights are observed in the streets and on social media. People try to express their discontent in ways that are often ineffective or can harm others. So, it becomes essential to deal with the situation by establishing certain personal protocols, to avoid exceeding limits due to stress. Among the recommendations are to practice techniques such as breathing, meditation or gratitude, and it is also appropriate to stay in communication with others, consume the news in small doses and establish a schedule.
There is a growing number of conspiracy theories that have alarmed part of the population. According to a study carried out by psychologists from the University of Oxford, people who tend to believe in these conspiracies are prone to disregard the public-health recommendations and, later on, are likely to refuse vaccines, which is why they may represent a risk to public health.
Conspiracy theories are attractive because they can fill a gap and answer questions that people have been asking, even if those answers are wrong. People who accept these theories tend to be constantly concerned about the origin of the virus, feel a great suspicion from certain sectors, believe in supposed deceptions from organizations without evidence, feel powerless over perspectives, need to think they have power, are more likely to accept false news, and may even think that the coronavirus is a hoax.
These beliefs are also causing great stress in some of the population. In trying to explain complex events about humanity in a simple way, some people with influence on social media have exacerbated others’ fear through false information.
The lies about the coronavirus are concerning. Although there are still not many answers about the virus, how to fight it and what works best to slow the spread, misinformation can cause many to not follow the guidelines that are deemed appropriate at this time. For example, someone who doesn’t believe in Covid-19 will not be careful in public places and will pose higher chances of spreading the disease.
Nowadays, it is more common to see people panic, avoid any kind of contact with other people and even have the sensation of being sick. There has also been an increase in confrontations on the streets, registered in many cases on social networks, where some people refuse to follow safety protocols, such as the use of masks, and claim that they have the right to behave as they wish, without stopping to think that, on many occasions, they are in stores that have their own rules, so they may demand certain codes of conduct on their property.
Probably, the most advisable thing is to find a balance that helps to keep anxiety, fear and paranoia away. It is not easy, we are living through complicated moments that the current generations have not faced before, but we must take into account that there are also other threats including mental-health problems, which should not be hidden or ignored.
Image credit: Couleur