DID YOU EXPERIENCE SOCIAL PAIN?

During the last one year, many people have faced the emotional effects of social isolation. Understanding social pain and its implications can help one cope with it better and reconnect with friends and family

“There have definitely been higher cases of anxiety during the last one year. While the fear of falling prey to Covid-19 was intense in many people, many others found it difficult to cope with not meeting friends and family. They felt life became mechanical and missed physical bonding with others.”

— DR RAJEEVI, assistant professor at TRR Medical College and consultant psychiatrist

“The pandemic caused a change in the social environment, which has cognitive, physical and emotional effects. This phase has tested the psychological resilience of most people. Many have felt disconnected, lonely and physical pain has been aggravated too”

— SAILAJA PISAPATI, a clinical psychologist, who runs the Sailaja Pisapati Mental Health Center in Hyderabad

Priya (name changed), a 23-year-old resident of Hyderabad has stayed indoors for almost a year now. While earlier she enjoyed her social interactions with a few of her friends, today her interactions are limited to her parents and even those interactions are brief. “Priya suffers from a mild personality disorder but before the pandemic broke out, she was doing fine,” says Sailaja Pisapati, a clinical psychologist, who runs Sailaja Pisapati Mental Health Center in Hyderabad. “Staying indoors without meeting anyone for months on end took a toll on her. Her anxiety issues got triggered and intense fear of contracting the virus has made her stay completely indoors. We are counselling her, hoping she agrees to step out soon,” she says.

The lack of social interactions over the last one year has definitely had an adverse effect on many. “From increase in cases of stress, anxiety and depression to lack of performance at work and ability to focus, many people suffered from the ill-effects of lack of social interactions,” explains Dr Rajeevi, assistant professor at TRR Medical College and consultant psychiatrist, Nizampet, Hyderabad. She believes that while many have happily resumed their social interactions, many others need help and support to overcome the negative effects of social isolation and re-connect with friends and family.

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PAIN

Social pain is explained as the experience of pain due to interpersonal loss or rejection, rejection from a social group, bullying or the loss of a loved one. It has been defined as “the painful experience of actual or potential psychological distance from other people or social groups.” And this pain has many detrimental effects. While during a pandemic, social isolation is necessary for everyone’s safety, one needs to also understand its effects on the body and mind. A recent study by researchers from the University of São Paulo suggests that there has been a massive rise in social pain from COVID-19. Social distancing during isolation evokes the formation of social distress, raising the intensity of learned fear that people acquire, consequently enhancing the emotional and social pain. The study also states that social isolation caused by COVID-19-related quarantine may cause severe post-traumatic stress disorder, not only by pandemic fear, but also by unemployment, loss of parents without mourning, and by the risk of traumatic familiar experience. The study further states that the exposure of the population to traumas, such as witnessing and caring for seriously ill people, perceived life threat, mortality and mourning, deaths of health professionals, can impair the mental health of the population, and consequently, increase the risks of developing psychological distress and progression to psychopathology.

“There have definitely been higher cases of anxiety during the last one year,” says Rajeevi. “While the fear of falling prey to Covid-19 was intense in many people, many others found it difficult to cope with not meeting friends and family,” she explains. “Many youngsters faced mental health issues due to social isolation. They felt life became mechanical and missed physical bonding with others.”

Social pain has physical and psychological impact, adds

Pisapati. She recalls a case of a mother of a 4-year-old who stayed home for her child’s safety. “Her child was affected with pneumonia at the start of the pandemic and doctors told the family they should stay indoors and be safe. She didn’t step out or meet anyone for over 10 months and went into depression. She is now undergoing treatment for depression,” she says.

The pandemic caused a change in the social environment, which has cognitive, physical and emotional effects. “This phase has tested the psychological resilience of most people. Many have felt disconnected, lonely and physical pain has been aggravated too,” adds Pisapati.

This is because, similar to physical pain, social pain has also been seen to activate certain components in the physical pain systems of the body. A study published in the international journal Brain Science Advances, found that physical pain and social pain rely on shared neural circuitry, suggesting that the experience of physical pain and social pain may have the same neurological basis.

COPING WITH SOCIAL PAIN

“Social pain was experienced by almost everyone during the last one year,” believes Sudha E., a Hyderabad-based meditation enthusiast. “It was probably in varying degrees and everyone found their own ways to cope,” says Sudha, who took many steps to ensure that she and her 5-year-old daughter could cope with the situation. “Initially we didn’t step out at all, but over time, I realised how important it was to meet and interact with a few people. I was careful, but arranged a few play dates for my daughter as I realised how important it was for her mental health. The whole period was about learning to live again. It was a test of tolerance and empathy,” she said.

With the number of cases in India on the decline, Rajeevi believes many people are coming out of their homes and moving about, but she warns one must still exercise caution. “Also, some who have been homebound for long, may need the support of close friends to resocialise again,” she adds. “The transition should be slow and with care, while taking the necessary precautions.”

Lack of social interactions over the last one year has definitely had an adverse effect on many. From increase in cases of stress, anxiety and depression to lack of performance at work and ability to focus, many people suffered from the ill-effects of lack of social interactions

The one thing this period of social distancing has taught people is the importance of social relationships for one’s mental well-being. It makes one appreciate things like meeting a friend for coffee or going for a walk, that earlier we used to take for granted.