Advertisement
Be mindful of signs of depression when you’re isolating
It’s normal to feel anxiety, worry and grief any time you’re diagnosed with a medical condition – and that’s certainly true if you test positive for COVID-19, or are presumed to be positive.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
If your symptoms aren’t severe and you can recover at home, this will involve home isolation until it’s safe for you to be near others without potentially spreading the infection.
Isolation protects others from getting sick – but for the person who is sick, it might seem like one more thing on top of an already stressful situation.
“Being sick is not only hard on your physical well being but it can also significantly impact your mental health. Recovering from an illness can trigger stress, anxiety and depression which slow down your recovery processes. Tending to your emotional health during this time is key,” says psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD.
Here are some ways to keep anxiety and sadness from creeping in while you recover from COVID-19:
You may not know how you got infected, or how long it will take to recover. Instead of focusing your energy on regret or what ifs, double down on what you can do. Your job now is to take care of yourself, get well and avoid spreading the infection to anyone else.
Ask loved ones to check in on you regularly via phone, email or video chat. Talk to them about how you’re feeling. If you’re worried about taking care of children, pets or household duties while you’re sick, identify family members, friends or members of your community who aren’t part of a high-risk population and may be able to help.
Advertisement
Feed your body nutritious food (over comfort food) when your appetite allows, and stay hydrated. If you’re able, take deep breaths, meditate or stretch to help relax your body.
Keep yourself distracted to help prevent worry, ruminating or catastrophizing. Read a book, watch a show, do a puzzle. Many people find it difficult to focus on tasks while ill. Try calming music. It can help you to relax and distract your mind, Dr. Albers says.
Give yourself permission to just rest. You don’t have to do or achieve anything besides taking care of yourself. Now isn’t the time to stay up till 3 a.m. binge watching a new show.
All the chatter online can make you feel even more upset and overwhelmed. “Slow down the scroll of your social media feed or simply put it aside. Viewing what other people are doing 24/7 can make you feel like you are missing out or depressed about your situation. Remember that this will pass,” Dr. Albers says.
Being socially isolated can increase your risk of depression and anxiety. While you recover, watch out for these common red flags:
Dr. Albers notes that many behavioral health professionals are still seeing patients virtually, so if you can’t seem to control your negative thoughts, or experience any of these signs for more than two weeks, ask your healthcare provider to refer you to someone.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Face-touching is a common habit, but one that can be overcome, like by learning to recognize when you’re doing it and keeping your hands distracted
You can work out with mild COVID-19, but not in a gym, and listen to your body and don’t overdo it
We all experience some stress from time to time, but chronic stress can contribute to health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Getting outside, eating a healthy diet, taking up journaling, listening to music — even cuddling a pet — can provide stress relief
It’s a continual process, but through meaningful practices, you can find peace and positivity with yourself
Give these 30+ grocery items a try to help find relief
Feeling lonely may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and high blood pressure
If anxiety is keeping you from having the sex life you want, communication, education and therapy can help
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims