COVID-19’s Ripple Effect on Mental Health and Addiction

Society must prioritize mental health now to avoid more painful outcomes later. Typically, the holiday season means end-of-the-year corporate parties, family gatherings, and festive get-togethers with friends. But the holidays in 2020 looked very different. As the coronavirus numbers continue, schools are returning to in-person learning, offices are keeping employees home, and the fear of another lockdown is on everyone’s mind. People are being encouraged to stick to their “COVID pods” and embrace more intimate gatherings, with virtual parties sprinkled in. 2020 has presented a host of challenges, and there is a grave concern for what the mental health effects on our society are going to look like in a post-COVID era. Substance Use Disorders One outcome of coronavirus related stress is the accelerated use of drugs and alcohol. Reports released throughout the year have highlighted how the pandemic has intensified America’s substance use so far. Between March and December of last year, there was a 34 percent increase in prescriptions used to treat anxiety. Alcohol consumption in the face of mounting concerns has also climbed and will most likely continue post pandemic. A study by RTI International discovered that between March and December of 2020, survey participants’ alcohol intake increased in terms of their average number of drinks per day as well as rates of excessive drinking and binge drinking. Last but not least, the opioid crisis continues to burden Americans and shows no signs of slowing down during the coronavirus outbreak. Last year, at least 40 states had seen an uptick in the number of opioid overdose fatalities, which were already occurring at alarming rates prior to the pandemic. Left unchecked, these trends are likely to continue years from now, and lead to an even more dramatic increase in the number of people who struggle with drug addiction and alcoholism. OCD and Other Mood Disorders Because the mental health crisis created by the current coronavirus outbreak will persist for years post pandemic, society can also expect to see an increase in anxiety disorders, especially Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Fear of catching a deadly virus through other people’s germs has exacerbated OCD symptoms in those who have been previously diagnosed with the illness. A Journal of Anxiety Disorders study of 394 individuals with OCD revealed that 72 percent of participants experienced heightened symptoms during the COVID-19 crisis. The virus has additionally created OCD symptoms in many who have other preexisting anxiety diagnoses or are prone to suffering from stress. The increased isolation of quarantines and lockdowns has likewise had an impact on rising rates of depression and agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that causes an aversion to certain surroundings. Mental Health and Younger People COVID-19’s damage to our collective psyche has not been limited to adults. This is also uncharted territory for children and adolescents, who may have trouble processing the events of the past year. A CDC report found that mental health-related visits to emergency departments between April and October 2020 increased 24 percent among children aged 5 to 11 and 31 percent among children between the ages of 12 and 17. Similarly, it is predicted that children will experience a greater onset of anxiety disorders and worsening of social anxiety disorders specifically when they are able to gather in person again. There are children who have not been allowed to see their friends since the pandemic started, and even younger ones who have yet to meet another child or human outside of their quarantine bubble. Insufficient Funding for Behavioral Health Services The current healthcare system does not treat mental health needs the same as medical needs; there is pay disparity, coverage disparity, and more restrictions on the authorization of services for mental health than medical needs. Mental health costs largely rest on poorly funded state insurance and on privately insured or self-funded plans that can make up their own rules with very little oversight for what is best for their policyholders versus the bottom line. When the pandemic started, some insurance providers waived co-pays and allowed for all services to be telehealth. Co-pays have now been reinstated in many cases, and restrictions on telehealth services are currently being put in place by private insurance companies. It will be difficult to treat what is expected to be an overwhelming mental health crisis post pandemic when the cost of any decent insurance continues to go up for the members on an annual basis and reimbursement rates for providers continue to go down. With the impending mental health crisis we face, it is worrying that some states have already made cutbacks in their mental health departments. The pandemic has been an unprecedented time for all. Post pandemic will also be unprecedented, and our healthcare system, as it stands now, is not adequately prepared to deal with the enduring mental health effects. Source: psychology today, 1/31/21.

2021 - How to Fit Exercise into Your Day

Most of us know it’s not good for our health to sit all day, but many jobs involve hours of sitting. Many of us work long hours then have family and home responsibilities once we leave work. Is there a way to be productive at work and home while still getting the physical exercise we need each day? Many experts recommend getting in exercise in the morning so that you benefit from an elevated metabolism as you start your day, as well as improved sleep at night. Completing a workout before the commitments of the day begin can ensure that other activities do not distract you from your workout. However, morning workouts can be easier said than done. Many of us don’t get enough sleep as it is, so to wake up extra early to workout doesn’t always happen. How do you get in more exercise at work? 1. Stand up at work - While on the phone, stand or pace. Take a stretching break by extending your arms over your head or swinging your arms side to side. Try a twist at your waist or a triceps stretch to waken up your body and mind. 2. Take fitness breaks - Taking a quick walk around the building, a few hikes up and down the stairs, or even a few squats or lunges at your desk can get your blood pumping to beat an afternoon slump in the time it would take to get a cup of coffee. 3. Keep fitness gear nearby - Having a set of dumbbells or elastic bands at your desk can make fitting exercise into your workday easier. Doing a few bicep curls while on the phone or performing some abductor moves with the band around your ankles can be done while typing on your computer. Many exercises can be done without taking you away from your work. It may be as simple as establishing a routine in your workday. If you have a workout facility or gym at your workplace, be sure to take advantage of it. Usually this is offered as a free service. If you pack your lunch, you will save the time you usually spend driving and waiting for food to be prepared. This time saved will give you the time to workout at lunch. Even if you do not have a designated workout space within your building, going for a run or finding a nearby tennis court or gym will still allow you to use your lunch time to improve your health. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind that will help you stay motivated to workout at lunch time: 1. Choose physical activities that you enjoy doing - You are more likely to stick with an exercise routine if you choose activities that you enjoy. 2. Work out with a buddy - Having someone hold you accountable helps you to show up on days you don’t feel like it. You will have opportunities to return the favor with your friend as well. In addition to strengthening your health, you can strengthen relationships through this shared experience. 3. Set goals - Instead of just exercising for a set time or even a set numbers of days, set an achievement goal so that you feel that you are working towards something. Train for a race, a level of flexibility, or a weight to lift. Set realistic goals and benchmarks along the way to get yourself to your goal. 4. Participate in group activities - Consider participating in a sport, like doubles tennis, where others depend on you. This will help keep you motivated to show up. 5. Bring your lunch - If you know you have a healthy lunch ready to eat after your workout, you will not feel like you need the time to run out and get lunch. It’s already there. 6. Keep a set of workout clothes at work - The easiest excuse to not workout at lunch is that you have the wrong clothes or shoes. Always keep an extra set of active clothes and shoes at work. 7. High intensity for a shorter duration - Results keep us motivated. If you have limited time to work out, make the best use of it. If you are cleared by your doctor to do so, workout at a higher intensity so you gain the same benefit in less time. For example, run for 30 minutes instead of walking for 60. If your job is staying home with growing kids, include them in your workout routine. Kids need exercise too and will love the attention. Play active games. Roll a dice and let each number represent an activity. Do workouts in the park. If the kids fade out, they can play on the playground while you continue your routine. Conclusion Active lives may require creativity in the beginning. Once you find a system that works for you, make it a routine. Consistent exercise will reap the biggest reward. Most of us have busy lives. It may be very easy to come up with reasons why you can’t fit exercise in your daily routine, but with a little effort and determination, you will be able to come up with solutions on how to fit exercise in your life. Your increased productivity and improved mood will make the time invested in your health well worth it. Source: medshare.com, 1/1/21.