The psychological trauma of Covid-19

The destruction caused by Covid-19 is immediately evident in the cumulative number of deaths. As of this writing, more than 353,000 Americans have died from Covid-19, and the CDC’s nationwide forecast suggests that by January 23, 2021, that number could rise to 424,000. within three weeks, Covid-19 could kill an additional 71,000 people.

I have already tried to make the magnitude of the current Covid-19 surge more understandable, for example by visualizing the deaths of Covid-19 in the United States using the smaller mark on the digital page. I also discussed the reasons for the third wave. But I haven’t written about the psychological pain many Americans are currently experiencing.

The number of anxious, scared, depressed, or lonely Americans has increased during the pandemic. According to one estimate, depression increased by a factor of 3. Another study on loneliness in people aged 18-35 found that 43% of adults surveyed experienced “great loneliness” due to measures of physical distancing used to control the novel spread of the coronavirus.

There are many other examples of peer-reviewed studies that provide an estimate of the psychological distress the pandemic has created. An article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association even attributed an economic figure to the emotional damage of the pandemic – $ 1.58 trillion.

All of this brings me to the next thought: How has the pandemic changed us? As an infectious disease ecologist, I think in terms of differential equations and compartmental models – mathematical tools that can be used to understand and measure the spread of disease in populations, to help guide public policy and decision making. But understanding how the pandemic has changed us as individuals requires taking a step back from the math. Our mental health is directly associated with our social connections with family and friends, and with our regular routine. While the long-term effects of Covid-19 on mental health are not yet fully understood, our experience from previous disasters suggests they will be significant.

The psychological consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic have been compared to Hurricane Katrina and the man-made disaster of September 11. And psychological distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has emerged among first responders and healthcare professionals who care for infected patients and comfort their families. However, what is particularly alarming is that the severity of the mental health crisis is expected to increase. According to a survey released by Gallop, the country’s mental health is at an all-time low over the past 20 years. Another study published by Mental Health America (MHA) reported that the number of people who have thought about suicide or self-harm is higher than ever since the screening program began in 2014.

A Dec. 16 statement released by the American Psychiatric Association and 13 other organizations reports that “the mental health crisis that evolved with the COVID pandemic is unprecedented … mental health must be everyone’s priority, especially now in the context of COVID-19 and all that has happened this year. The coalition of 14 organizations announced a roadmap to transform mental health care to address the Covid-19 crisis and future mental health emergencies and will engage with the new federal administration, governors and main elected officials from 50 states to present it. We still have a long way to go. However, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are now available and distribution is accelerating. America proved resilient during the first wave of Covid-19 last winter. Through courage, determination and compassion, I believe we can stay strong. These are reasons for hope.