As the noted
biologist and writer E.O Wilson once wrote; “We are drowning in information
while starving for wisdom!” These words could be considered a metaphor for
the challenging zeitgeist we currently face in our everyday life. As most of
the world begins to emotionally crumble from the effects of social isolation
brought on from the coronavirus, the damage inflicted from the hysteria may
become worse than the virus itself. More specifically, for those struggling in
silence and solitude with mental illness, they now face an added set of
challenges. I know, I am one of them!
Living with mental
illness, especially depression, the current stay at home orders, with the added
stress of being furloughed from a job, can be a lethal combination. Lost are
structure, self-worth, and a paycheck, all key ingredients in recovery. When
added to it the anxiety of a future clouded in a sea of uncertainty, the weight
of this environment can become the anchor to drown a person into relapse. As
often is the case, speaking out in defense of those afflicted are consistently
met with ignorance and ridicule, and a worldwide pandemic offers little
reprieve from the scorn.
Early on in this
stay at home order, noted television Psychologist, Dr. Phil McGraw, faced
brutal backlash for weighing in on the long-term mental health dangers along
with the possible financial devastation brought on by this current rule. Though
social isolation has many facets, depression becomes the hallmark and that is where
Phil McGraw focused on what should have been a productive analysis, as he
illustrated the importance of reopening the country as soon as possible. He
pointed out that people suffering from clinical depression find themselves with
these additional challenges.
·
29%
more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease
·
32%
more likely to suffer from a stroke
·
40%
more likely to suffer from some level of dementia
This endless list
of life-limiting boundaries will likely grow with significantly increased
isolation, deeper depressions, and with that, more catastrophic results. Suicide,
which is most often the result of a battle with depression, takes the life of approximately
fifty thousand Americans every year. Add to it the stress and anxiety brought
on by social regulations, that number will assuredly increase at an alarming
rate
What Dr. Phil expressed
is simply, mental illness will be the silent killer of this pandemic and could
be deadlier than the virus itself! Rather than create openness and dialogue, many
people attacked his message with the intensity of a rabid dog. His credentials,
his education and even his morality came into play with mockery and disdain as
many just did not want to heed his warnings. Though his focus was the emotional
toll the current lockdown will likely cause, many internet experts on
psychology refused to be open to his advocacy, and his critical views were
drowned out under the noise of mobocracy.
As one who lived
many years within the painful confines of suicidal depression and who has also
lived a good life for the past 19 years, his words set off alarms. For the
first time in nearly two decades. I am concerned not only for myself but for
many others of the emotional toll this will have on our struggle to stay
healthy. Today, relapse is not only a constant fear, but it is a likely outcome
for many, and with it, potentially tragic results!
Though we are only
seven weeks into these orders, some warning signs are appearing, and no, it is
not people protesting for the country to reopen. It is the symptomology of
mental illness becoming increasingly prevalent and along with it, many peripheral
issues.
For those
furloughed from our jobs, such as me, with deepening uncertainty and anxiety,
there has been a 77% increase in the number of people reporting a sleep
disorder. This is a huge red flag of impending problems with depression and inevitably
leads to additional challenges. Besides the loss of structure, one now must
live with the fear that a job or a business may no longer exist. Additionally, Express
Scripts, the mail order Pharmacy, recently reported a 34% increase in the
number of people seeking psychotropic drugs for both depression and anxiety.
For those
struggling with these added stressors, sleep deprivation is a hazard that feeds
into depression and magnifies challenges the person faces. It clouds judgment, increases paranoia, and soon
the madness of mental illness controls the mind and can leave that victim
helpless to focus on any positive task. Also, those currently on furlough from
a job, the loss of the social side of employment creates even more solitude and
loneliness.
The reasons are
clear as by our very nature, we as humans are social beings, we tend to meet in
packs and enjoy life. When most of us meet at restaurants and bars it is not to
drink, but to socialize and simply relish the company of others, which is
currently limited or prohibited. Additionally, facilities to exercise, a key
component in living a healthy lifestyle, are now shuttered and that further
erodes structure and wears on the mental health of a significant part of the
population.
As pandemic
exhaustion begins to take its toll, other issues have begun to rise to the
surface. Three major cities, Houston, Texas, Charlotte North Carolina, and
Phoenix Arizona are already experiencing significant increases of up to 17% in
Domestic Violence police calls. The Domestic Violence Child Advocacy Center
in Cleveland recently announced a 40 increase in calls for assistance. It is a
safe bet as the stress of this shutdown grows, those numbers will continue at a
disturbing trend upward.
Though hard data
on the number of suicides are not yet available, some emerging evidence is beginning
to paint some ominous warnings.
According to Beth
Zietlow-Dejesus Director of External Affairs of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and
Mental Health Services of Cuyahoga County (ADAMH-S) there has been an increase
in requests for services. She explained that though the suicide prevention
hotline has stabilized in April after a spike in Mid-March other cautionary signals
are emerging She added, “There has been a 40% increase in calls to the Peer
to Peer support line since the Mid-March.” She elaborated that most of the inquiries were
made to find treatment mainly for the anxiety related to the pandemic.
One of the
strongest contributing factor in suicide is that many of those who end their
lives do so in a prison of long-term emotional torture. As one who survived
attempts to end my life, the loneliness of the struggle created a level of pain
that became unbearable. The current environment is a recipe for pushing people
more into a deep suicidal depression. The present dangers are fear, loneliness,
lack of structure., and most importantly, evidence of a bleak future.
People can mock
individuals such as Dr. Phil and his dire prediction, but as these social
limiting orders continue with only some modifications, other dangerous
situations will rise to the surface. Besides the effects of depression, chemical
dependency, often associated with mental illness, will most assuredly increase.
For many seeking treatment for situational distress, will discover this to be a
trigger into a clinical depression and with it, a lifetime sentence of
treatment. With summer programs being canceled for young and old alike, the
stress and anxiety will continue to mount. Even when it does end, the financial
hardships these orders created and the vicarious trauma from living through it,
will have a lasting emotional affect.
Finally, many of
those who understand the potential dangers and agree with people like Dr. Phil,
are being ignored and dismissed, but eventually, we may be the ones whose
warnings become a prophecy. Never
forget, ignore mental illness at your peril because the price will be high!
