Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Caregivers and Patients
https://doi.org/10.33591/sfp.46.4.u6
- Author:
Ee Heok Kua
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fear, Anxiety, Burnout, Isolation, Reflection
- From:The Singapore Family Physician
2020;46(4):30-31
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
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Abstract:
Four mental health effects are the consequences of the current pandemic of coronavirus infection across the globe. These are fear, anxiety, burnout, and isolation perceived by medical practitioners and patients. The individuals affected may have been pre-morbidly well or the pandemic is an aggravating factor to existing mental health morbidity. Fear of contagion affects our duties to patients; a sense of responsibilities keeps us going. Anxiety can be allayed by attention to habits of mental resilience both in ourselves and taught to anxious patients to help them cope better. Burnout can occur with prolonged sense of helplessness. Having a team or circle of friends whom we can tap on to help us cope can prevent burnout; we need to nurture such social capital. “Circuit breaker” can be interpreted differently namely, from a time of restriction to a time of reflection.
