COVID-19 opening Pandora’s box for those with anxiety disorder – local psychotherapist

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought about feelings of fear and anxiety in many people around the world, even in Malta. A local psychotherapist, however, told The Malta Independent on Sunday that while for anxiety sufferers such circumstances can be even more stressful, everyone handles situations differently.

The psychotherapist said that during the past week or so, the disease is the main topic most anxiety sufferers want to discuss during their session. Having said this, she noted that most still turned up for their sessions, with very few clients cancelling.

She also noted that those suffering from anxiety always tend to be fearful, and the outbreak is another worry to add to their list.

The disease is opening ‘Pandora’s box’ for anxiety sufferers, as their worries seem to extend to concerns for their families’ health, rather than themselves, she noted. Several suffering from anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders, are also hysterically scrolling through their social media, making the situation worse.

It seems, however, that COVID-19 has alarmed all kinds of people. In the US, two-thirds said they were ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ concerned, according to an Economist/ YouGov poll carried out on 6 March.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also issued guidelines for “Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19

Outbreak.”

The WHO provides considerations for the general population, for health care workers, for team leaders or managers in a health facility, for caretakers of children, for caretakers of older adults and also people in isolation.

One consideration notes that COVID-19 has and is likely to affect people from many countries, in many geographical locations. The WHO advised not to attach it to any ethnicity or nationality and to be empathetic to those affected in and from any country. Those with the disease have not done anything wrong.

The organisation notes that people with the disease should not be referred to as “COVID-19 cases”, “victims”, “COVID-19 families” or the “diseased”. They are “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for

COVID-19”, “people who are recovering from COVID-19” and after recovering from COVID-19 their life will go on with their jobs, families and loved ones.

Watching, reading or listening to news that may cause you to feel anxious or distressed is also to be avoided, it notes. Information should be sought mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.

Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried.

For caretakers of children, the WHO advised to find positive ways for children to express disturbing feelings, such as fear and sadness. Sometimes engaging in a creative activity, such as playing and drawing can facilitate this process.