Sudden Changes and Emotional Adaptation
The new health situation we have been experiencing for months has brought with it profound changes in our way of life. These changes have had a significant impact on the mental health of the population, generating an increase in the prevalence of psychological disorders related to anxiety, stress, and depression.
The most emotionally vulnerable people are especially suffering from this difficulty in adapting.
Anxiety in Different Contexts
The increase in anxiety manifests itself in different environments:
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In healthcare settings, disorders such as hypochondria or specific phobias appear.
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In daily life, cases of social phobia, agoraphobia, obsessions related to cleanliness, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are proliferating.
Below, we detail some of the main disorders that have seen an increase since the start of the pandemic.
Post-traumatic Stress: in Professionals and Family Members
Healthcare personnel are exposed to high levels of stress, facing illness, death, healthcare pressure, and emotional overload.
This continuous tension can lead to post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) once the crisis has passed.
Also, patients and family members, affected by uncertainty, hospital conditions, and isolation, may develop this type of delayed emotional reaction.
Social Phobia: Fear of Contact
The constant message about social distancing can generate adaptive fear, but it can also transform into a social phobia or fear of physical contact, especially in people with difficulties regulating their emotions.
Agoraphobia: Fear of Public Spaces
Agoraphobia is the fear of not being able to escape or ask for help in the event of a panic attack.
During the pandemic, many people have started to associate the street with contagion, developing a deep rejection of leaving home, even when preventive measures are applied.
Hypochondria: Constant Fear of Getting Sick
Hypochondria, as an anxiety disorder, implies an excessive fear of suffering a serious illness without an objective basis.
In the current context, this fear is amplified, giving rise to ruminations, negative anticipations, and a constant state of alert that generates great psychological distress.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD): Cleaning and Contamination
Hygiene recommendations can trigger or aggravate compulsive cleaning rituals in people with a predisposition.
These behaviors generate mental and physical hyperactivation, which limits daily life and deteriorates emotional well-being.
Depression: Loss of Reinforcers and Motivation
The so-called “new normal” has meant a loss of rewarding activities, especially for those who need social contact or outdoor leisure.
This lack of stimuli can lead to a state of apathy, demotivation, and personal neglect, favoring the development of clinical depression if no action is taken in time.
Addictions: Escape Responses
Faced with emotional distress and lack of control, some people resort to substance use as a form of escape.
The mixture of free time, impulsivity, and overwhelming emotions can lead to problematic alcohol or other drug use.
What Can We Do in the Face of this Reality?
This situation is likely to trigger a wave of mental health disorders, which will vary in intensity depending on the person.
Professional psychological help will be key for those people who feel a persistent loss of control or significant discomfort.
Appropriate intervention allows you to learn useful tools and skills, based on evidence, to cope with difficulties effectively and autonomously.
🧠 Taking care of our mental health is also part of adapting to the new times. At Fundación FIVAN, we are here to help you.
