16 April 2020

Coronavirus and mental health

Coronavirus and mental health

As coronavirus spreads around the world, there is concern about the problems this is causing for people's mental as well as physical health. Neil and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.
Watch the video and complete the activity.





The story

More than eight million people in the UK suffer from anxiety disorders. But the current concerns over the spread of the coronavirus and the restrictions on daily life have left many more people feeling under pressure.
Anxiety UK estimates it’s seen a rise of between 30 and 35 per cent in the number of calls to its helpline in the last couple of weeks.
The charity recommends that to reduce anxiety, people talk about their concerns, limit the time they spend listening to the latest developments, and find time to do things that distract them.

👉 Write a comment in the blog telling the way this period of isolation is taking its toll on you. 

9 comments:

Gabriela said...

I think that coronavirus is not taking its toll to me, actually, I have felt really good during this period of isolation, I have been taking advantage of all this spare time and the company of my beloved ones. Videoconferences with my friends in Mexico are more frequent because no one has to work early, also, I found a Youtube channel that helps me to have a daily workout which I practice with my husband. In addition, I increased the amount of time for reading and for dabble in baking. So, despite this unfortunate situation, I have manage to see as much pros as I can.

Charo said...

Definitely, the COVID 19 is taking its toll on me in several aspects of my life.
We were forced to remain at home as the spread of the coronavirus epidemic accelerates so it made me feel anxious for the very beginning and It has been a month since then.
We are not able to socialice with other people and express our feelings face to face . In my case, social isolation is having a deel effect on me, not only but mental health. My capacity of concentration in common duties has suffering a decrease, mainly because of the amount of news, and the number of deaths and people infected.

Sara García said...

Coronavirus is testing the mental health of the citizens all over the world. In my case, I have the opportunity to take a little breath when I go to my job because it is a essential service for the society. However, even though it is time to be at home, all the people, including me, feel trapped, with anxiety. Also, sometimes we think that we have some symptoms but it is only a reaction of our brain.
I think we are going to have a difficult problem when we have the opportunity to go out because we are worried about all the things that we touch or with whom have been.
To sum up, we have to breath, being relax and try to act with security but always with a smile and a positive attitude.

Sofía said...

Well, in my case I don't live alone so I don't feel that loneliness and, I also have 2 pets that, as in the advertisement that these days we all are seeing in TV, they make everything a little better.
What I'm noticing is that the preocupation that I have for the situation translates into the bad rest that I'm having but, I'm trying to control it and I also try not to spend all day watching or reading news on the subject and instead I'm watching more series or reading.
As well, what I'm experiencing is a certain discomfort and anxiety when I think about uncertainty in the long term, my future and everything I had planned for this year and the next ones at work, academic and personal level

Unknown said...

This period of self-isolation is taking a toll on me, but less than I have expected when it started. I thought I was to get mad without the possibility of getting out home and seeing my friends and, although I miss them so much, I feel well and motivated to study and go on with my university tasks. I have felt a bit anxious in the sunny days, because I couldn't stop thinking about going to the mountain or to a bar to have a cool beer among friends. Fortunately, it has been raining since the coronavirus outbreak.

Ana H said...

At first, the idea of being in isolation made me feel utterly upset. My family and friends are in other city, so I had to stay in León because my work are not allowed to stop. The first days I felt really anxious, so I decided not to watch the news along the day. After some weeks, I feel better but worried about what are still living. I hope this sad situation ends the sooner the better, although I suppose it will take a toll on all of us, physical and overall psychological.

Ana D. said...

From my point of view, the current lockdown brings many side-effects. Some of them are present right now, but many others will continue after de-escalation. In the short-term our life will be absolutely different from what it used to be. Social distancing will be required in all our daily routines for a long time. Will we be able to deal with these new rules? Likely some people will suffer from anxiety when they must be very close to others, and they will try to avoid being surrounded by others. This fact can increase some phobias, even in people apparently sane. Furthermore the use of face mask reminds us that the risk can be everywhere, so we can't relax ourselves. Personally, it makes me very nervous and I'm not very optimistic about its quick solution. It is a kind of biological war.

Paula G.G said...

Fortunately, COVID-19 is not taking its toll on me as I have many things to do. I have organized myself in such a way that time flies. During the morning I study, I make zumba with mum and the I dance in the balcony with a little girl who lives across my flat. Throughout the afternoon, I study again until seven o'clock, and that is when I feel so happy because I prepare music for the moment of he claps. Then I talk with my neighbours and with the lovely little girl. So... I am sorry COVID-19 but you can't fight with me as I am stronger and happier than you. The only bad thing you've done to me is something that I have been planning for months... living in Dublin from last March, but I'm sure you'll give me new opportunities.

. said...

I´m tired of this period from the beginning. I can´t stand this goberment and all the lies that people believe.That is what really is taking a toll on me. The senselessness of people that must take decisions.
On the other hand, I´m suffering from anxiety, not only for the situation but also because of working from home. I can´t put up with it. I am now working much more than twice. I am all the day long working and I can´t do other things that I would like to do. Furhermore I can´t spend more time with the one that I love.
So I hope this situation finish as soon as posible and if not, I think people shouldn´t be afraid of anything and take their own decisions.
I thing that if people aren´t strong enough to deal with this, it is going to be a lot of psycological illness and people is going to die not only because covid-19 but also for other reasons, that can be even worse