MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 HEALTH ISSUES - PART I

 MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 HEALTH ISSUES - PART I

Let’s look at some health issues this week.  

We all have heard how COVID has cut into the available hospital bed supply.  If you have a heart attack, a stroke, even major aorta surgery, and need hospitalization for a few days, there might not be a bed available because of the pandemic.

But, today, I want to look at an unseen (but felt) health issue - mental health.

My readers - have you had a headache in the last ten months - and wondered in it could be COVID-19?  Are you questioning if your taste buds are as good as the past?  Do you have body aches?  

The list of COVID-19 symptoms has these:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Wow - I’ve had a few of these - have I had COVID?  Runny nose?  Almost every day.  But, in Texas, the television weather reports give the allergy reports.  As I write this, Cedar allergies are in the “high” category as is mold.  It seems as if almost every common allergy flourishes in Texas.  I sometimes have a cough.  If I am a hypochondriac (a person who is abnormally anxious about their health), probably every day I could be self-diagnosed with COVID (or at least with COVID symptoms). 

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“What are the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health?

Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke. People with pre-existing mental, neurological or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection ̶ they may stand a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death.”

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https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey

Well, we are generally more isolated - we wear masks anytime we are outside; we practice social distancing, we don’t hug, touch or shake hands.  We hear the reports of the growing number of dead and those afflicted by this pandemic.  We can panic.  We can get so fearful that even stepping out our front door might (somehow) cause us to get the disease.  We wear gloves to get our mail and then spray it with an alcohol spray - just in case the postal carrier sneezed on our mail - or the person/company/entity that sent the mail might have a spreader.  We are almost ‘afraid of our own shadow’!!!  We have left fear loose.  Watch out - stay inside - don’t go out - the ‘boogie man’ (aka COVID-19) is standing right outside your door.  Did you buy a new air filter?  Do you order your groceries and more online?  Are you working from home?

Like FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) said “The only thing to fear is fear itself”.  

Fear erodes our mental health. “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a new WHO survey. “

“And the pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services. Bereavement, isolation, loss of income, and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety. Meanwhile, COVID-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke.” (https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey)

I know of people who have lost loved ones during this pandemic.  While the person was alive, they could do little other than send cards or emails or stand on the sidewalk and wave greetings to the person.  Grandchildren couldn’t give Grandpa or Grandma a hug, and Grandpa or Grandma couldn’t give their precious grandchildren hugs.  The words “I love you” didn’t get spoken as frequently or as clearly to those who were suffering from COVID.

Then comes the bereavement period.  Funeral homes, churches, were restricted in holding funeral services for the dead.  I have been to many visitations over the years.  Like my friend RR when we were great colleagues for so many years, and I could hug his wife and children and let the tears flow - that type of bereavement just can’t happen in a world of social distancing and isolation.  

And, those of us with some mental illness issues had trouble seeing counselors.  Online counseling and life-coaching have grown greatly as we can see and talk to counselors although we can’t share hugs.  I interact with my counselor by Zoom messaging.  (And, fortunately, I have been fairly stable and don’t need as much time, as counselors (in general) and my counselor (in particular) have full appointment slots.  

The major accounting firm PWC notes this:

“For millions of Americans and their healthcare providers, the pandemic was an introduction to telehealth, often with uneven results. Caregivers, with varying levels of telehealth experience—tried suddenly to meet patients where they were. Many virtual visits happened on nontraditional health platforms: mobile phones, using texting and messaging. In the year ahead, the industry will work to determine which virtual visits make the most sense, and where and how they should take place.” 

Back to the main topic, with isolation, mental health issues have been aggravated as people ‘hunker down’.  

So, what can we do about that?

Have human contact - especially family, grandchildren, friends.  Calls and hearing human voices are much better than television.  Don’t forget those that are grieving.  Cards, notes, emails, and more can help as well.

Find ways you can get outside if possible if you are suffering from some negative aspects of isolation.  Practice social distancing, but “cabin fever’ can exacerbate mental illnesses.  

Keep busy.  I’ve done more jigsaw puzzles, adult coloring pages, crossword puzzles, and poster creating that in the months preceding the COVID pandemic.  My crocheting is actually improving!!!  (I might be at a beginner stage now - not just the “lousy” beginner stage!!!)

If at all possible, find things that are uplifting.  If you have a spiritual orientation, maybe you can find worship services and teachings online.  It is not the same as being in attendance, but still a way to be a part of a community!!!

And, when negativity arises in your brain, talk to yourself and affirm that you are a lover, not a hater, that you have VALUE and PURPOSE in the world.  Be a Pollyanna!!!

Because - LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS - (yes, you can picture us in a supportive hug)

Karen