Olumide Adegbokun, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Alimosho General Hospital in Lagos has urged Nigerians to avoid activities that can trigger anxiety disorder, as the country records more cases of COVID-19.
Adegbokun told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that the present pandemic ravaging the globe posed a mental health challenge to individuals.
NAN reports that anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders characterised by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.
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These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heartbeat and shakiness.
“Certain happening or event in the society can generate a negative mental health-related issue if they are not properly addressed.
“Before COVID-19, there are patients that are being managed for an anxiety disorder or other mental health disease, so the present situation can worsen or cause a relapse of the condition.
“Also, the daily spike of the virus in the country can trigger a fresh episode of anxiety and depression in people who don’t have an existing mental disorder.
“So, Nigerians need to be mindful of what goes on in their minds during this period, ” he advised.
According to the consultant, Nigerians should listen to information that is credible and ignore fake news being circulated on social media to avoid unnecessary panic.
“Nigerians should have in mind that they are not in this alone, it is a worldwide thing which will come to an end and also depends on credible sources like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“This is the time to take a break from the 24 hours of news which can make anxiety to spike among people. We can reduce this to one or two hours of daily news in order not to hear frightening reports.
“We should also note that social distancing is just physical distancing, there are ways we can socialise with our family and friends through technology to bring down any form of anxiety.
“This is a time to also engage in activities that will give us a sense of purpose to stem the tides in the current situation.
“The present lockdown should give room for family bonding and different dimension of activities to guide our hearts against panic, ” Adegbokun said.
He advised Nigerians to maintain good hygiene so as to prevent and curb the spread of the virus.