(reading time 3.5mins)
In Part 2, we looked at the impact isolation and lockdowns are having. In Part 3, we look at some of the signs that indicate our mental health is being affected.
PEOPLE AREN’T COPING
We all crave human interaction. It’s a basic, primal, human need. Yes, whilst there are online alternatives to what we achieve on a day-to-day basis, it’s not the same as actual human interaction.
Talking to somebody face-to-face.
Shaking a hand.
Giving somebody a hug.
A high-five.
Simply being in the presence of a friend, colleague, family member.
These are all the things that we have taken for granted, and perhaps didn’t realise we need in our lives, until it was taken away from us.
Yes, there are opportunities to continue to interact – we have video calling. We have socially-distanced, mask-wearing catch-ups with people. But it’s simply not the same.
We need to feel connected with people, and whilst we’re in lockdown, we don’t feel like we’re able to maintain that connection. Whilst video calls are the best alternative during this time, they also lend themselves to feeling artificial. It requires planning and schedules, and there’s not the same level of emotion and joy of catching up with a friend for a movie, or brunch. Instead, it’s scheduled and most often starts with ‘can you see me? I can’t hear you, can you hear me? No, you need to flip the camera. Flip the camera! Tap the camera icon. The one that looks like a camera. No, you just muted yourself. Can you still hear me?’
Hands up if you’ve had those video calls one too many times… *raises hand*.
A SOCIETAL WANT NEED TO STAY CONNECTED
We want to be able to go out. We want to be with friends and family and regain something that resembles a sense of normality that we were used to before this happened.
The reality is, there are probably a lot of people in your immediate circle that are feeling the same way as you.
This should be the time for you to be more proactive, and checking in with your people on a more regular basis. It’s not uncommon, especially in this period of time, for people to be experiencing heightened levels of stress. However, this can also lead to elevated levels of anxiety and / or depression, and create opportunities for our mental health to spiral downwards.
The most important aspect of mental health that we should all remind ourselves of, is that it’s not something that should be seen as shameful. ‘Mental Health’ is not, and should not, ever, be seen as a phrase associated with shame or humiliation.
RECOGNISE THE SIGNS
Those who are familiar with symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression will already be aware of their warning signs and their triggers. It’s important to note that these manifest themselves in completely different ways, so they vary from person to person. For example, one person may handle their stress by keeping everything inside; keeping it to themselves. However, another person may handle their stress through moments of rage / aggression / violence.
Whilst those are examples of two very different extremes, I’m not saying that those are how all people handle stress. They are, however, very real reactions from some people experiencing mental health conditions.
Anxiety and depression are also in this category because they can manifest themselves in a wide variety of characteristics
- keeping up appearances and saying that everything is fine.
- spontaneous outbursts of sadness, crying, or anger.
- a sense of denial.
- sleepless nights.
- Feeling dazed and confused.
- cause of tension headaches or an inability to focus.
- Additionally, for some, it may also cause people to disengage and withdraw entirely from friends / work / social interactions.
MENTAL HEALTH IS MORE COMPLEX THAN THIS
It’s important to reiterate that mental health diagnosis, treatment and management isn’t a simple process. It’s not a black-or-white, one-size-fits-all situation.
These are merely some examples of how mental health conditions can affect different people in different ways. Hopefully, those that are aware that they do suffer from a mental health condition, have been given appropriate tools and coping mechanisms.
This is a time we should be trying to be even more connected to those closest to us, and those that we care about. Keeping an eye on each other, and watching out for warning signs; changes in behaviour, or withdrawal. If there is an increase in substance use, whether smoking, alcohol or narcotics, it’s always worth trying to talk to them first, and seeking appropriate professional advice.