Diseased Body and Diseased Mind: Mind Your Psychological Health during Lockdown

Abstract

The novel Corona virus also known as 2019-nCoV that originated in China in December 2019 has quickly spread all over the world. In absence of specific treatment or vaccine, with no natural immunity, we are forced to rely on old public health measures like Quarantine, Social distancing and Isolation for prevention of spread among community. Although isolated incidents of epidemics have required isolation and quarantine in the past, no pandemic has required social distancing to a national and international scale before. Despite the obvious physical health and economic concerns of this situation, all the above measures bring forth challenges of emotional and psychological nature which can be especially severe in special populations like elderly, young children and adolescents, health care workers, persons with mental illness. Also, certain aspects like death, role of mass media, and ethics also arise during isolation and quarantine. With mass media playing a significant role in drumming up the perceived threat, people may resort to panic behaviours like hoarding essential day to day use items and masks and other medical supplies leading to shortage. Problem of fake news related to COVID 19 lead to Govt. of India launching of AAROGYA SETU app as well as websites to centralise all COVID 19 related information to people of India. Death in isolation deprives family members and friends of opportunity to grieve for near and dear ones lost due infection or due to natural causes. The requirement of isolation and quarantine during this distressing pandemic has paved way for recognising the importance and advantages of telemedicine as a whole which has led to various government bodies including the Government of India to draw primary guidelines for medical practitioners to follow and ensure ethical concerns are addressed.