The Mental Health Pandemic - Depression and Anxiety

Feb. 25, 2021

Trying several antidepressant medications over a period of years is unfortunately common for those who receive treatment for their depression and/or anxiety. Citalopram, Prozac, and Zoloft are some of the more common prescriptions. Photo by Taylor Helmes.

By Taylor Helmes

Mental health was a conversation and health concern before the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the United States. But because of the pandemic, most psychiatric and psychological care is now done via a computer screen. Access to internet and telephone services is now necessary for patients to receive care. Like anything though, there are pros and cons to a virtual therapy environment.

As we adapt to the new reality that 2020 brought, not only has screen-time significantly increased due to schools and other professions having to convert a corner of their domain to a workspace, but mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety have been diagnosed at an increasing rate. Specific effects from the pandemic such as social isolation, lack of physical activity or exercise, job loss, rise in unemployment, and economic strain are some of the most impactful and detrimental effects we’ve seen in the last year.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are now being seen and reported in younger children, too. Psychiatric Times wrote in October 2020 that after several surveys and questionnaires were collected from adolescents in China, Bangladesh, Italy, and Spain. Overall, they concluded that COVID-19 has affected these children and adolescents, and depression and anxiety are, “prevalent,” but more research and assessments need to happen to get a conclusive finding.

Out of China, one survey collected data from junior and senior high school students both showing and experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety and not. The students who were not experiencing depressive or anxious symptoms demonstrated knowledge on preventative measures than those experiencing mental health disorders. Of the 8,079 students surveyed, 43.7% were experiencing depressive symptoms and 37.4% experienced anxiety symptoms. Females were also reported to have higher numbers of those suffering from depression or anxiety than males.

The International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction republished research findings of negative effects such as increased screen-time and social isolation due to school closures in ages six to 18-year-old boys and girls mainly from China and Paraguay. Their findings confirmed that there were not only differences in adolescent and adults mental state from the pandemic but also between genders. Results suggested that females are more likely to exhibit symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

However, that doesn’t suggest that males are not experiencing mental health hardships as well.

This bar graph from the Kaiser Family Foundation categorized adults by age groups that experienced symptoms of both types of mental disorders, depression and/or anxiety more than half the days of the week or nearly every day as of Dec. 2020.

Just as people’s work and offices are converted online, so have universities and schools across the nation. The virtual environment has been an adjustment for most students - whether this change was a positive or negative effect of the pandemic.

Due to the increase in demand for virtual psychological help, platforms such as Teledoc have become implemented and used by more medical professionals like Dr. Nancy Burkey. Persuaded out of retirement, Dr. Burkey has picked up her practice on her laptop from her home in New Mexico.

Licensed in California, New Mexico, and Washington, Dr. Burkey primarily sees young adult patients via Teladoc. Before the pandemic, Dr. Burkey had a private practice in Northern California where she treated middle-aged adults for depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and urges, and other psychiatric care.

One of the biggest differences she has noticed since the start of the pandemic in 2020 is that her patients are from the younger generations.

“I think [we] have a lot more younger people reaching out,” Dr. Burkey said. “They are much more adept at figuring out access to the internet.”

Normally patients spend time driving and preparing for their therapy appointment, but the new virtual waiting room is now on your computer screen. Photo by Taylor Helmes.

A downside to Teladoc is that it requires internet access and user knowledge on how to navigate the internet and access the appointment. Older generations have trouble with navigating technology and the internet. This rings similar to vaccine efforts getting a hold of those 65 and older who may not know how to register and make an appointment for themselves online.

The answer to that problem was creating a phone hotline that can answer and direct those seeking out vaccine information and registration.

But for those younger adults that are suffering from an increase in mental health disorder symptoms, the supply of psychiatrists and therapists simply does not meet the demand for them.

“I think the younger generation is phenomenally anxious right now. And for good reason,” Dr. Burkey said.

Another downside to Teladoc is that it restricts certain things the doctors working on their platform such as access to the doctor and communication channels between patients and doctors, specific training, even certain medications are under strict guidelines and restrictions.

“I think a lot of people still are left under-treated because our hands are a little bit tied on what we’re allowed to use,” she said.

“The documentation is different because you have to document on their line on their format,” Dr. Burkey said. “It’s not as onerous as the hospitals. You have to go through their trainings. They also limit what medications I can [prescribe]. So, you’re not allowed to [prescribe] certain controlled substances and some patients need those.”

And those who do not have access to the internet usually end up going to the community or county mental and physical health centers. Programs like that use volunteers, residents training for their medical practice, and other doctors to serve the underserved communities.

Another organization geared towards those suffering from mental illnesses is the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). Focused on advocacy, education, and resources, NAMI is a free resource for those who suffer from depression or anxiety. They have even recently extended their phone “Helpline” hours to accommodate the inquiries. But that still means those seeking help require access to a phone.

During this digital-reliant time, it will be more challenging for those from poorer, underserved, and underrepresented communities. But until things get better, there are some non-medical remedies to try: pick up journaling and write out whatever you are feeling, pick up a new hobby or craft to spark something new, or need a break from the computer screen and go outside. “Zoom fatigue” can leave you feeling exhausted and tense, so what Josephine Lara, Mental Health Education Assistant with California State University, Dominguez Hills, recommends is to take a “mental health break,” by going on a walk or go outside for a little Vitamin D.

“We’ve always seen [students with] stress and anxiety as well as depression,” Lara said. “Those are the three ones that we constantly always see with students, and with depression since we do see that one, we’re always concerned as well with suicide.”

Dr. Burkey observed the same with her patients and how their life confined to their home is not healthy, mainly because they don’t have their normal outlets.

“They can’t exercise, they can’t get together with their [friends], the usual relief,” she said. Dr. Burkey also emphasized how masks are hindering social interactions, making coworkers and peers feel guarded and work against social norms.

“A lot of workplaces you’re wearing a mask and the mask guards against the sort of normal social ability to pick up facial expressions and the usual kind of office sarcasm that can be kind of connecting for people,” she said.

Face masks and the efficacy of them in order to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus have been stressed by local and federal health officials, but covering half your face hinders both verbal and nonverbal communication. Facial expressions, non-verbal cues, even emotions are not fully viewed and interpreted, which can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretation of messages, even stunt brain and social development in children.

This pandemic has impacted society in all sorts of sectors: schools and workplaces are virtual or hybrid, face masks are a constant accessory that is meant to protect us from the Coronavirus but they hinder communication, and doctor’s waiting rooms are now your own bedroom rather than a quiet, awkward room with magazines and receptionist. As we near one year living this way, things have gotten easier. It is still hard and by no means is this a thriving way to live one’s life. The physical, mental and economic effects of this pandemic will echo for years to come.