Spreading Depression Due to COVID-19, Daily Life Disrupted

Possible Contact with Confirmed Case...
Stuck at Home for 2 Weeks Without Going Out
Only Watching News, Worries Increasing
Experts Say "Psychological Quarantine Collapsing"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "I went into self-quarantine just in case, but not being able to go outside for a long time makes both my body and mind feel heavy."

Lee (22), who lives in Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, has not been able to go out for five days. This started after news spread that a confirmed COVID-19 patient had used a PC cafe near his home. He confessed that the anxiety of possibly having come into contact with the patient made him spend his time in a small one-room apartment just looking at his phone, which led to feelings of depression.

Sim (69), living in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, is in a similar situation. After hearing that a confirmed patient was found in a nearby apartment complex, his children urged him "not to go outside at all," so he has not been able to go out for almost two weeks. He said, "If I catch COVID-19, I won’t be able to see my grandchildren or go outside, so I am being extremely cautious," adding, "I sit at home all day watching COVID-19 news, but instead of feeling reassured, I feel more worried."

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation prolongs, more people are expressing anxiety and depression. The fear of contact with confirmed patients or overlapping movement paths, combined with refraining from going outside, has caused physical and mental unease and lethargy. Citizen Kim (31) said, "Whenever I hear news that hundreds of people have been confirmed or that some have died, my heart sinks." Park (61) also said, "Because relationships with people have been cut off, I feel frustrated and depressed."

With the COVID-19 situation continuing for over two months, the term "Corona Blue" (blue - depression) is being heard frequently throughout society. Experts evaluate that citizens’ psychological defense has collapsed due to increased exposure to negative information and reduced outdoor activities. Professor Kwak Geum-ju of Seoul National University’s Department of Psychology said, "Stress and fatigue are increasing due to uncertainty about when the COVID-19 situation will end and the negative information."

Professor Jung Seok-hoon of Seoul Asan Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry also said, "When an infectious disease spreads, people try to find as much information as possible about it," adding, "Excessive information gathering can lead to anxiety and depression, and living isolated alone also worsens depressive feelings."

Experts diagnose that overcoming situations where mental health is threatened ultimately depends on one’s own efforts. Professor Jeon Deok-in of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry said, "Stress and depression can lower immunity, making one vulnerable to COVID-19 infection," advising, "Using social networking services (SNS) or phone calls to maintain communication with others is essential for managing mental health."

To overcome the side effects of social distancing, the Korean Psychological Association is also conducting the '1-3 Hello How Are You' campaign, which is worth referring to.

This campaign encourages people to ask three people how they are doing each day via SNS and share what difficulties they are experiencing to support each other emotionally.

If anxiety and depression cannot be controlled, seeking counseling should also be considered. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is providing professional counseling through the COVID-19 Integrated Psychological Support Group. The Korean Psychological Association’s COVID-19 Special Countermeasures Committee has also deployed 230 experts to offer free psychological counseling to help overcome stress.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.