By Mohammad Azeemullah
Being ‘informed’ is to be ‘rich’ in terms of one’s perception to the events of world. It frees man from bondage of ignorance. However, knowing too much about an occurrence is never a good experience, particularly when coronavirus epidemic is untenable.
One of the reasons that is most likely to affect mental health of a person is to know more about coronavirus and the ways and means to escape from its infection.
To be up to date with latest news is understandable. However, too much obsession with every bit of what is ‘detrimental’ about a disease can cause mental health problems.
The World Health Organization released advice on 18 March 2020 as to how to protect mental health during coronavirus outbreak.
The document entitled ‘Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak’ states: ‘Minimize watching, reading or listening to news about COVID-19 that causes you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information only from trusted sources and mainly so that you can take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.’
The message continues: ‘Seek information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried. Get the facts; not rumours and misinformation. Gather information at regular intervals from the WHO website and local health authority platforms in order to help you distinguish facts from rumours. Facts can help to minimize fear.’
Reports suggest that reading lots of news about coronavirus has led to panic attack to individuals around globe. Nick, a father-of-two from Kent, UK, went through such an experience of restlessness.
“When I’m feeling anxious my thoughts can spiral out of control and I start thinking about catastrophic outcomes,” he shares his agony. “Usually when I suffer I can walk away from a situation. This is out of my control,” he says.
The amount of time one spends reading or watching contents that are not pleasant to go through must be stopped. It has pessimistic effect on psychology.
There is a lot of misinformation swirling around. Temporary break from news websites and social media helps one to manage one’s anxiety.
“A lot of anxiety is rooted in worrying about the unknown and waiting for something to happen… coronavirus is that on a macro scale,” agrees Rosie Weatherley, spokesperson for mental health charity Mind.
As Anxiety UK’s Nicky Lidbetter explains: ‘The fear of being out of control and unable to tolerate uncertainty are common characteristics of many anxiety disorders. So, it’s understandable that many individuals with pre-existing anxiety are facing challenges at the moment.’
Coronavirus has cost thousands of precious lives around the world. Every day the number of casualties is added to the list of the deceased. So is the number of people being tested positive by covid-19. As a result, some people may be frightened while others may be low in spirits.
This is the time to guard oneself from slipping into state of depression by abandoning all such sources of information that constantly remind one of being the next victim of coronavirus.
Equally sensible is to maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible. New routines that rationalize interests also play positive influence upon mental health of a person during times of stress and crisis.
Be aware, take all precautions.
But don’t be overwhelmed by media reports and fear.
Have faith in Allah’s decree, pray and live with patience expecting a better future from Almighty Allah swt…