Load-shedding can also affect mental health

Effects of power cuts can worsen anxiety and depression – psychologist

Apart from the socioeconomic stresses caused by load-shedding, there may be biological reasons why being in the dark can cause anxiety, stress and depression.

This is according to Joburg psychologist Dr Claire Lownie, who said darkness can induce the survival response, sending alarm signals to the adrenal glands in the body.

“In the instant where we are suddenly plunged into loadshedding darkness, our pupils dilate quickly to allow us to adjust our vision to the darkened environment. The brain remembers this as an important part of our previous flight or fight responses and thinks that we are under attack.

“It notifies our bodies that we are in danger and we create an anxiety response in the absence of an actual threat.”

She said in response to loadshedding, our normal daynight variations in response to light and dark are confused, leading to us sleeping at irregular times. “This can cause severe disruption in our normal sleep patterns, resulting in daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, fatigue and inability to complete tasks. The resultant dysfunction at work, home and in social functioning, can all worsen anxiety and depression.”

Lownie said while there is very little we can do to change load-shedding, being aware of the underlying effects is an important step towards managing how it affects us.

“Keep your regular sleeping patterns and routines, even when the lights go out at abnormal times.

“Practise some mindfulness, meditation or by exercising and don’t rely on sleeping pills, tranquilisers or other supplements to assist with sleep or anxiety management.”