{"id":2519,"date":"2020-04-20T16:41:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T16:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stillpointcounselingandwellness.com\/?p=2519"},"modified":"2020-04-20T16:41:38","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T16:41:38","slug":"dealing-with-depression-while-self-isolating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stillpointcounselingandwellness.com\/?p=2519","title":{"rendered":"Dealing With Depression While Self Isolating"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the last few weeks, life as we know it has changed completely. As we adjust to our new normal, we\u2019re starting to think about and envision how our futures have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the most profound changes has been social distancing and self isolating to help slow the spread of the virus. We\u2019re currently all being tried and tested in ways we never have. However, for those who suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts this time can be all the more difficult, especially because being social and spending time outside is a huge part of coping and dealing with depression. Part of what takes such a toll on people whether or not they\u2019re suffering from depression or another mental health condition is that self isolating goes against the primal human instinct to make connections with other humans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although in-depth research on the psychological effects of social distancing during a pandemic is limited, a scientific review released on March 14th by the Lancet has shed some light on the effects. This review evaluated 24 studies that examined the psychological outcomes of being quarantined during various outbreaks including SARS, H1N1 flu, and Ebola in the early 2000s. Most of the studies showed that quarantine and self isolation had both short and long term negative effects on mental health including post-traumatic stress symptoms, insomnia, emotional exhaustion and increased substance abuse. Factors such as quarantining lasting longer than 10 days, poor information and lack of access to necessary supplies and telecommunication services increased the risk of psychological issues during quarantine (S.K.Brooks., R.K.Webster., L.E.Smith., L.Woodland., S.Wessely., N.Greenberg., et al. March 2020). Another study conducted in 2004 looked at 129 Toronto residents who were under quarantine during the SARS epidemic. This study found 28.9% experience post traumatic stress disorder and 31.2% experienced depression symptoms (L. Hawryluck, W.L. Gold., S.Robinson., S.Pogorski., S.Galea., R.Styra., 2004).\u00a0 Manhattan-based psychotherapist Emily Roberts said \u201cisolation is so devastating to our own mood because we\u2019re left stuck with our own thoughts…if you rely on therapy which requires you getting out of the house, it\u2019s going to be very hard to motivate yourself to get the help you need..there\u2019s so much of an urgency to disconnect it creates a lot of fear with people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts, here are some things that might help you while self isolating:<\/span><\/p>\n