Coping during coronavirus pandemic

THE coronavirus epidemic continues to be a worrying issue and has affected our lives one way or the other.

We have witnessed different countries, as well as our own take measures in order to attempt to control the spread of the virus. These measures range from easier tasks such as washing hands and sanitising regularly to practising social distancing and even enforcement of a countrywide lockdown; as seen in our neighbouring country, South Africa.

As much as these measures help contain the infection of COVID-19 they may prove to be difficult for some people to adhere to; as BOSASNET, we are particularly concerned about those with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. This is because the current situation is likely to make them vulnerable as the balance in their lives is affected, making it difficult for them to cope with the sudden changes that we are experiencing.

Anxiety Anxiety can be described as an overwhelming sense of fear and worry: There is an overload of different information shared on the television, radio, and especially social media. Whether true or false, this can be very overwhelming for some people. They can be confused by all of this information and not know how to react to it thus finding themselves in a state of uncontrollable worry that will eventually affect normal functioning. Some people who find themselves in this state tend to feel the need to self medicate by using substances, a temporary solution that more than often leads to worsened consequences than the desired outcome.

Depression With the potential enforcement of restricted movement of people and lockdowns, we are mandated to stay in a single location and minimise physical interaction. This can be a stressful time for people suffering with depression disorder. Being in the same place with minimal changes for a very long time can dampen a person’s mood and thus worsen their depressive state. The use of substances in this state - at worst - can increase suicidal ideation, which is linked to depression.

Substance Use There are a lot of people who have been using different substances on a regular basis and may be unknowingly addicted to them. With the changing restriction, a lot of people might find that they are not able to get and continue using the substance as usual therefore may start to experience withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawals are the physical and psychological symptoms that follow the discontinuing of an addictive drug; these may include headaches, sweating, shakes, insomnia, vomiting, and irritability).

It is not easy to deal with sudden change but we encourage that you find healthier ways to cope with the current situation. Some tips are shared below in order to help you if you are struggling to adjust during this time.

• Keep in touch with loved ones

and talk to them frequently. Check in with those who are most supportive and let them know how you feel.

• Plan your time, create a schedule based on things you enjoy doing and can do at home like reading, games, movies.

• Start an exercise routine that

you can do indoors or around the home.

• Eat as healthy as you can and

drink a lot of water in order to keep your body hydrated.

• Limit seeking information on

COVID-19 to only reliable sources (Ministry of Health and Wellness platforms and World Health Organisation information).

If you think that you might have a substance abuse problem, or if you have a friend or family member who does, we encourage you to seek help. For some, it can mean the difference between life and death. You can find BOSASNET on Facebook, visit us on www.bosasnet.com, or call us on 3959119 or 72659891 for more information.