COVID-19 wasn’t just a threat to America’s physical health. The isolation that COVID forced many people to endure also created a mental health crisis. In November 2020, during the height of the pandemic, cases of anxiety and depression increased 600 percent compared to November 2019.
Mental health includes your emotional and social well-being, which influences how you think, feel and act. Having good mental health does not mean you will always be in a good mood or immune from the stresses of everyday life. However, a positive mental attitude can keep you healthy, reduce the risks of serious illness, and lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you, a friend or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms, please seek professional medical help.
Do you experience fear or dread when around certain people, objects or situations?
You may have an Anxiety Disorder. Other symptoms include a rapid heartbeat and sweating. There are several types of anxiety disorder, including panic attacks and phobias. Donny Osmond was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder.
Are you feeling sad all the time?
This is one of the symptoms of a Mood Disorder. You may also feel overly happy or fluctuate between extreme happiness and sadness. Depression is the most common type of Mood Disorder.
Do you have extreme eating habits?
People with Eating Disorders have extreme attitudes about their weight and what they eat. For example, someone with Anorexia Nervosa mistakenly thinks he or she is overweight and severely restricts the amount of food they eat.
Do you have obsessive thoughts and fears?
People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have uncontrollable thoughts and/or behaviors they repeat over and over, such as arranging objects in a specific way or an irrational fear of germs that causes them to avoid touching anything.
Are you experiencing frightening and recurring thoughts about a traumatic event?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that often follows a terrifying event, such as a sexual assault, natural disaster or engaging in combat.
Sources: verywellhealth.com