key: cord-0701849-w4aagv6p
authors: Murtaza, Ghulam; Mahmood, Shahid; Ghaffar, Maryam; Bashir, Shahid
title: COVID-19 and Depression in Pakistan
date: 2022-01-31
journal: J Family Med Prim Care
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2542_20
sha: 935609cc25fc297cf5932e1df44f93539064590b
doc_id: 701849
cord_uid: w4aagv6p

nan

Depression is a mental illness with severe physical and emotional effects. It causes feelings of sadness and a lack of interest in everything. It may result in the loss of friends, family, or even a job. The longer depression lasts, the more damage it inflicts on the victim's life. Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world. [1] Anxiety and depression are more common in females than in males. [2] Patients who are hospitalized due to cardiac disease or diabetes may suffer from depression. [3] Pakistan's increasing population size means that proper guidelines for handling depression are needed. In Pakistan, closely connected family systems mean that depression is less common than in other countries where most individuals do not have access to such family systems. [4] COVID-19 does not only affect physical health; it can also negatively impact psychological health. Since the outbreak of the disease, cases of depression and anxiety have increased. People all over the world have been affected psychologically by the pandemic as it has destroyed the normal pace of human life in many countries. [5] While governments and healthcare providers are working to control the COVID-19 pandemic, less attention has been paid to the psychological problems of people who are trapped their homes to avoid contracting COVID-19. Due to a lack of face-to-face communication and social activities, many isolated people are becoming depressed. However, several measures can be taken to help these people. Individuals struggling with depression should take the following steps [6] :

• Avoid distressing situations.

• Limit exposure to media and news.

• Maintain a healthy relationship with family. • Regularly communicate with friends via social media. • Try to think positively. • If you are afraid of getting COVID-19, share your concerns with family members; this will help you cope with the fear. • Try to increase your immunity by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques. • If you have lost a close friend or relative to COVID-19, seek online psychological support services.

Nil.

There are no conflicts of interest.

United States Census

World Population Clock

Prevalence, and predictors of depression among an elderly population of Pakistan

Depression and anxiety: A snapshot of the situation in Pakistan

Depression in the elderly: Does family system play a role? A cross-sectional study

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic's impact on mental health. The International journal of health planning and management 2020

Mental health strategies to combat Letter to Editor

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