How to stay sane in a lockdown, quarantine
quarantined while waiting for test results. Isolation brings a feeling of being cut out from the living world, which may also be accompanied by fear for their own health or guilt of infecting others, including family and friends,” said Dr Rajesh Sagar, professor of psychiatry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). “We need concerted effort to cut down rumours and share factual information without getting emotional,” he said.
“Confinement, loss of routine, and reduced social and physical contact with others also leads to boredom, frustration, and a sense of isolation, but this can be offset with group activities in mass quarantine situations and rediscovering the things you enjoy, when you are home quarantined,” Dr Sagar said.
He gives the example of a retired person in his clinic who restarted playing a guitar after 50 years. “He had stopped because he didn’t have time, but never thought of going back to it when he retired and had the time. He is really happy he has gone back to it. Free time is a great opportunity to introspect and discover yourself,” he said.
Longer quarantine and lockdowns, like in parts of China and Italy, are associated with poorer mental health, with people showing post-traumatic stress symptoms, avoidance behaviours, and anger, according to a study in The Lancet.
But even in partial lockdown situations — like in Delhi, Kerala and Karnataka — there is growing anxiety because of uncertainty over where the epidemic is headed. Rumours and misinformation driven by ignorance or misunderstanding of health messages add to stress, as does financial loss during quarantine.
“Transparent and realtime sharing of information is critical in outbreak situations, and governments also must reinforce that there will be no shortage of basic supplies such as food, water and medicine during lockdown periods. Support groups on social media create a sense of collective effort, so individuals do not feel isolated and work with a group to reach the common goal,” Dr Parikh said.
Stigmatisation and rejection from neighbours and friends can be distressing for both people who are quarantined, health workers and other people in the frontline, who often find neighbours and friends avoiding them, withdrawing invitations or treating them with fear and suspicion. “It’s important for all of us to recognise that we need to be positive, aware and informed so people in the frontlines, like health workers and airport staff, feel empowered. Because if they get stressed stop caring, every one of us is in deep trouble ,” Dr Parikh said.