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| People suffering anxiety, fear and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic are on the rise/gettyimagesbank |
By Kim Se-jeong
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing more people to suffer from anxiety, fear and depression.
According to the National Center for Disease Trauma (NCDT), over 370,000 people have received counseling related to COVID-19 in the last six months, more than the annual total of 350,000 cases reported to the Ministry of Health and Welfare last year.
Chung Un-sun from the psychiatric department of Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital said she has seen more patients asking for help following the pandemic.
"Many people are affected by the pandemic and their fear and anxiety play out differently depending on situation they're in," Chung said.
She said the pandemic hit women who are in the position of caregiving hard. "Because of the pandemic, people spend more time at home and when there's an issue in the family, the tension at home increases. Often mothers and wives blame themselves for the problem and can't sleep because of it which only worsens their condition.
A study by the Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies echoed Chung. The survey of 1,000 people earlier this year found women in their 30s suffered the most from pandemic-triggered psychological issues.
She said the elderly population were also suffering under the weight of the pandemic.
"In Daegu, those who stay in elderly care centers didn't see their family for almost six months. Some lost the ability to remember their family, and when members, they didn't recognize them, which deeply hurt all concerned. The elderly population lose their cognitive capacity quickly and together with the isolation, their symptoms got worse."
Last weekend, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo also warned about anxiety and depression and raised concerns that suicides could increase.
"We saw the suicide rate rise after the IMF economic crisis in 1998 and the 2007 economic crisis. So we anticipate pandemic-induced suicide rates could rise," the health ministry official said.
The psychiatric specialist said it's important to speak about issues and share feelings with family and friends.
Also, the doctor said "it's normal to experience anxiety in a crisis and many people share that feeling. You are not alone. I also feel anxious and share this with my patients to give them the message that it's normal to feel this way."
Chung recommended to walk when possible. "Walking will stimulate both hemispheres of the brain which will help keep anxiety under control."
The NCDT said it will develop a mechanism to enable people to self-diagnose their mental health. Those who need professional help can reach out to mental health promotion centers that are open on the county and district levels providing free assistance. They can be also call 1588-0199.
