"Emotions like fear, uncertainty and anxiety are normal in periods of stress like the one we are currently living in the world and according to how we adapt to this new situation it can become negative and unwieldy", explained Psychiatrist Vania Martinez.

On 11 March this year the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) like a global pandemic, situation that worsened the social crisis that Chile was already going through, reliving on its inhabitants feelings of uncertainty, Fear, anxiety and other negative sensations.

One of the global recommendations aimed at reducing COVID-19's contagion and aims to prevent the collapse of public health systems, it's quarantine.

Human beings throughout existence have faced various stress situations that have both physical and mental effects, However, the human brain has the ability to adapt to and learn from these situations. In this respect, the psychiatrist Psychiatrist, Millennium Core Director to Improve Adolescent and Young Metal Health Imhay, Vania Martinez explained "emotions like fear, uncertainty and anxiety are normal in periods of stress, like the one we are currently living in the world and according to how we adapt to this new situation can become negative and unwieldy".

Quarantine times

One of the global recommendations aimed at reducing COVID-19 contagion in a relatively short period of time and aimed at preventing the collapse of public health systems, it's quarantine. This measure focuses on maintaining a social estrangement, confining people in their homes for a certain time.

Boys and girls, school students, college students and adults have had to carry out their usual study activities, work and entertain together and within tight spaces like your home.

Boys and girls, school students, college students and adults have had to carry out their usual study activities, work and entertain together and within tight spaces like your home. This, while it is a highly effective measure to prevent COVID-19 contagion, it's also stressful, so dr.. Martinez recommended:

  • It is important to achieve good communication between the group of people who inhabit the same space, in order to reach agreements on schedules and use of quieter spaces, either to study and/or telework.
  • In the event of conflict between people it is important to achieve conversation spaces, but not immediately after the discussion. Ideally, let time pass and then calmer, communicate and propose new agreements.
  • Those households that have young children and should be guided in their study hours, it is advisable to try to make relays between parents, to the extent possible or set working and study schedules, in order not to hinder any of the activities.
  • Physical activity adapted to the space and fitness of the persons with which you live.
  • Going out at least to the terrace or looking out to the window for sunbathing.

Warning signs

The warning signs we need to take into account, as indicated by Dr.. Martinez are: "fear and excessive concern for health, change in sleep and eating patterns, difficulty sleeping and concentrating at a level that we cannot more or less normally perform our daily activities". Also, reported not being able to handle the situation, recommended:

  • Have a support network to talk about what you feel.
  • If it becomes impossible to carry out the activities normally, you can ask for help from a professional who guides you and advisor.
  • Those who suffered from a mental health picture, it is important to keep in touch with your treatment team and not leave your therapy for any reason, especially if it's pharmacological.

On the other hand, the doctor also explained that the mental health area currently has telemedicine, which makes it possible to be in remote contact with patients, this becomes an advantage in quarantine times, Added.

Currently the mental health area has telemedicine, which makes it possible to be in remote contact with patients, this becomes an advantage in quarantine times

Seniors

One of the worst risk of infection groups in the virus with the worst prognosis, are older adults and even though a lot of them have been through stressful situations in other times, such as wars, health and social crises, the Psychiatrist and Associate Researcher at the Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS ), Pablo Toro pointed out, "the more crisis a person has lived, with more resources will count towards the difficulties, such is the case for older adults, However, they are more fragile to deal with the disease, so it is imperative that they carry out full quarantine". In addition, added "currently the community has a great challenge in solidarity with older adults, which is to assist them in carrying out activities such as formalities, purchases of medicines and merchandise to prevent them from coming out and spreading".

"In times of isolation it is important to socially support our older adults, through phone calls, video call or visiting them through the window", emphasized Pablo Toro, ACCDiS psychiatrist and associate researcher.

Toro also emphasized, "In times of isolation it is important to socially support our older adults, through phone calls, video call or visiting them through the window". In this line, the Dra. Martinez commented "Open television is the most affordable medium for the elderly, it's a means to stay informed and entertained so the social media challenge, is to have varied and wide content, preventing everything from focusing on the pandemic".