Confinement and the state of alarm may already be taking its toll on our mental health, according to surveys. 46% of Spaniards are at risk of emotional distress. Could it be happening to you? Take the test to see if you suffer from anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Periods of isolation can affect mental health and cause psychological symptoms such as stress, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, low spirits, frustration, anger, confusion, detachment, exhaustion. This is confirmed by the ” Guide for the non-face-to-face approach to the psychological consequences of the epidemic outbreak of Covid-19 in the general population “, prepared by the Complutense University of Madrid.
This guide suggests that the confinement situation, together with the specific characteristics of the moment (fear of the disease, feeling of ignorance about the virus, concerns about the economic consequences), forms a powerful cocktail that can lead to emotional distress.
According to a report by the Open University of Catalonia, which has analyzed different socioeconomic factors, the percentage of the population in Spain whose mental health is at risk rises to 46%.
Indeed, we are already experiencing psychological consequences from confinement. “The vast majority of the population is already suffering from insomnia. They also experience a lot of anxiety, baseline or in the form of crisis or panic attacks,” explains psychiatrist Irene Muñoz León.
And the symptoms of emotional distress may increase as time goes by since, according to the work “The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence”, published in The Lancet magazine, the Psychological sequelae can appear months after having experienced this situation of confinement.
ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM EXCESS ANXIETY?
The anxiety, fear or anxiety are emotions that can occur more often after living a situation of confinement. It is normal to experience them but, according to the report of the Open University of Catalonia, there are factors that increase the risk of suffering them: being unemployed, living with more people, having children of school age at home, having experienced stressful events (such as losing your job) or experience a loss of income.
In any case, it is convenient to detect if we are already experiencing excess anxiety in order to adopt strategies that allow us to manage it.
COULD YOU BE AT RISK FOR DEPRESSION?
The work published in The Lancet magazine suggests that 73% of people who live in a quarantine can experience a low mood. 18% of them can even suffer depressive symptoms.
Faced with symptoms of depression, experts from the Complutense University of Madrid advise requesting psychological assistance (even by phone) to assess the emotional state.
WHAT TO DO IF OUR EMOTIONAL STATE HAS BEEN AFFECTED?
If you experience a lot of distress or think you may be suffering from depressive symptoms, consult a professional so they can advise you. If what you are perceiving is some anxiety or fear, we recommend that you look for strategies to calm yourself and remove that stress.