As the Pandemic drags on and pre-COVID life continues to evade us, mental health is more important than ever to consider.
COVID has hit everyone in one way or another. People are not only worried about contracting the virus themselves, but also how it will change everyday life along with its effects on people’s livelihoods with ongoing lockdowns. Along with these worries, there is also the concern about the effects this pandemic has had on people’s mental health.
The number of people experiencing anxiety or anxiety disorders has been on the rise since COVID started hitting the U.S., causing most of the country to go into lockdowns which lasted through the year. Due to this, people are staying home more and in-person connections with others have come to a sudden stop for most.
CDC Report Reveals “‘Considerably Elevated’ Mental Health Toll from COVID-19 Stresses” by Joan Stephenson, PhD said “ … the CDC had found a substantial increase in anxiety disorder and depressive disorder symptoms in the United States during April through June compared with the same time frame in 2019.” Research conducted by the CDC also reported that “Nearly 31% reported symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder.”
It is important to note that anxiety disorders manifest in many different ways depending on the individual and specific disorder. It is also important to note that there are subgroups of phobias that are also related to anxiety disorders.
With the number of anxiety disorders having spiked, and are continuing to do so with COVID, it is important to recognize what they are and their connection to the pandemic.
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, the Mayo Clinic describes it as “ … cause[ing] someone to fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. The fear can be so overwhelming that you may feel unable to leave your home.” COVID has caused people to minimize their time outside of the house, only leaving for essential trips. But with the ongoing pandemic and the seemingly never ending cases, now even these small trips to the store can feel like a risk.
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If you are suffering from either Anxiety or Depression, please see our information on Treatment for Depression or Anxiety Therapy in NYC.
