Dr. Conway McLean, Journal columnist

There has been an undercurrent of dread coursing through the lives of many Americans. Our focus, of course, has been directed at the viral pandemic afflicting the global population. It’s challenging to direct our attention elsewhere for any length of time. If even for a moment, escaping news on the pandemic, should it be your preference, has been challenging. But this will not be a discussion concerned in any way with an infectious disease.

“Corona News” is certainly the order of the day, regardless of your news source, and rightfully so. These are disconcerting times. Our worries are vast and wide-ranging, about our health, our families, finances, work. Needless to say, stress levels are inordinately high. Although generally unspoken, we are in the midst of an epidemic of psychological stress and anxiety. Experts have called this a “slow-motion disaster”. The mental-health fallout of COVID-19 could potentially be devastating.

According to a recently published survey, half of the US population feel the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health. It helps to demonstrate how greatly the pandemic has traumatized the nation’s psyche. This phenomenon is recognizable in many ways, such as an increase in the incidence of various psychologic-psychiatric disorders, which is typical for times of stress.

Social distancing has completely disrupted our routine, our normal pattern of behavior. Unfortunate since human beings like certainty, the everyday. The disruption of our lives imposed by the pandemic is a great stressor, potentially leading to some unhealthy physical changes. Stress causes the body to release more adrenalin. The “stress” hormones trigger a variety of physical changes by the human body. Because of these increases in adrenalin production, heart rate and blood pressure rise, also aiding in the development of a chronic inflammatory state. Another consequence, a person becomes more susceptible to disease. All these changes evolving from prolonged isolation.

The psychological disorders that will result from the pandemic may be significant. It comes at a time when more people are living alone than ever before in human history (numbers which have almost doubled over the past half century). We now know that isolation exacts a toll on humans, especially the hard-wiring of the brain. One study looked at the health consequences of prolonged solitude. They found it produced physiologic stress comparable to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Living in a state of prolonged isolation can prompt cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, or premature death. It has also been associated with a forty-per-cent increase in the risk of dementia.

This topic, of the harm associated with isolation, is not being ignored, of course. A study by King’s College of London looked at the emotional and psychological consequences of quarantine. There was a range of negative mental health outcomes, including trauma, confusion and anger. And what of the many already suffering from some mental illness: they, more than most, require a great support system. They don’t do well with uncertainty and ambiguity, which obviously we now have in abundance. Just when someone thinks they have a handle on their stress, some alarming headline appears, whether it’s a shelter-in-place order or more news coverage talking about death and shortages.

This unique convergence of circumstances significantly increases the risk of depression, a very real condition, one with serious manifestations and repercussions. It is recognized as a true clinical disease entity, with emotional, psychological and physical consequences. The presence of major depression in the medically ill increases morbidity (aka sickness), mortality, and the utilization of medical resources.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. In the minds of many, it is only associated with war zones or physical violence. Many experts are predicting a surge in the incidence of this diagnosis due to the pandemic. Symptoms resulting from PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events and develop some component of PTSD have some difficulty adjusting and coping, but usually these effects resolve over time. One recommendation to aid in this recovery is to try to cut down on negative behaviors, including excessive alcohol consumption or overeating. Try to focus on good, healthy coping skills that have worked for others.

Many people are living alone, with less access to human interaction than ever before. It would be strange for us not to experience strong emotions under these extreme conditions. Due to orders for isolation, many are trapped in homes with dysfunctional family relations. Alcohol and drug use is rising. In France, reported cases of domestic violence are up by about a third. But humans are social animals: we generally do better when there is a support system in place.

Experts recommend actively thinking about developing a social support system and how you can get access to friends and family online. This is the time to reach out to people, and develop new communities. Predictably, one suggestion is to get exercise, well-documented to reduce the physical and emotional consequences of psychological stress. Another successful coping technique consists of writing down your fears. Think about what makes you feel better. What helps improve your mental health? And how you can do that with limited resources such as may be available to you now.

The orders for self-isolation have been trying, a source of tremendous stress in a “stressed-out” society. But we can empower people to survive, even thrive. One successful approach is to teach those adversely affected to develop better relaxation skills. In order to break the chain of stress and anxiety so pervasive today, we must improve our ability to relax and focus on more positive aspects of life. By doing so, we can break the chain of stress so much a part of our lives in the new world of corona.

Humans have a dire need to connect. Our brains have learned from difficult evolutionary lessons, imprinting in us the lesson that social isolation equals death. But when we get out of a habit, it’s hard to get back. Will life return to normal, post-pandemic? Just as we are worried about an economic recession, we should also worry about a social recession. What if there is a continued pattern of social distancing beyond the immediate pandemic? There may be broader societal effects, particularly for the vulnerable, the estranged, the isolated. Our mental health, on a global scale, may suffer effects not fully appreciated for years.

Editor’s note: Dr. Conway McLean is a physician practicing foot and ankle medicine in the Upper Peninsula, with a move of his Marquette office to the downtown area. McLean has lectured internationally on wound care and surgery, being double board certified in surgery, and also in wound care. He has a sub-specialty in foot-ankle orthotics. Dr. McLean welcomes questions or comments at drcmclean@outlook.com.