Anxiety

When I first heard about this strange disease – coronavirus -  I tried to keep a positive mindset. Having previously been diagnosed with anxiety disorders I did not want to let my worries get the better of me. I never could have predicted that over two years later we’d still be talking about it. The pandemic and lockdown has affected everyone in different ways, and it’s had a negative effect on a lot of people’s mental health, including mine. The thought of catching, spreading and perhaps dying or killing someone from this mysterious virus was incredibly hard for me to come to terms with. I’d constantly worry about leaving the house and seeing relatives. 

Even when I needed a break from my online school work, there was nowhere I could escape my own head. I tried going for walks and practicing kickboxing, but I was still incredibly anxious and depressed. The lack of social interaction intensified my social anxiety. Once the lockdown was lifted and I was able to leave again I found it difficult to interact as I was still in fear of asymptomatically spreading the virus to others. Even now I avoid most social occasions and primarily just go to school. My friends don’t understand why I can’t just get over it, but I feel like I’ve been brainwashed that getting together with others is bad. 

I know that I’m not alone. Studies have shown that since the pandemic there’s been a 25% increase in anxiety or depression worldwide. People who may have never previously experienced depression or anxiety are now doing so because of the pandemic. Whether it’s because of the virus itself, or its enormous effects on society, thousands of people are needing more help to cope with their mental health. Also, those with existing mental health conditions such as myself may be finding it a lot harder to carry on. It’s important that we be mindful of everyone around us during these difficult times, and make life as easy as possible for each other. The pandemic has taken priority over everything in our lives for over two years, but there has never been as important a time to look after our mental health too.