Ashna Alex is worried. An employee of a software firm, she says the last one month has not been easy for her. “I live with my husband and both of us work from home. Our relationship has changed quite a bit in these few weeks. We fight a lot now,” she says.

There is a reason for this, says Vaishnaruby Shanugaraj. She is Senior Clinical Psychologist, Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre and Research Institute, Coimbatore and member of the Tamil Nadu Association of Clinical Psychologists. Suddenly the sharing of time, space and blurring of boundaries can be overwhelming, she says. “Irritability and mood swings are bound to happen and this can affect dynamics within the family.” She should know as in the last one month the number of people reaching out to her and seeking counselling has almost doubled.

The pandemic has resulted in a rise in depression and anxiety. “There is insecurity. There is the every present fear of losing one’s job, being forced to take salary cuts, besides the pressure to perform even better than usual,” she explains. Or there is this very real problem of losing one’s independence and privacy. Like it has happened with Divya M, a dancer who lives with her parents and is feeling the strain. “Being home-bound with my family is overwhelming. I miss my personal space and the time spent hanging out in cafés,” she says.

To Divya and Ashna and others like them, the pschiatrist says: “Working together, sharing responsibilities and communicating go a long way in reducing stress, “ says the psychiatrist. She also urges people to work on building a healthy environment for the family. “It helps one feel valued and loved. Focus on the positive qualities of others and appreciate their work. Also, do not hesitate to reach out to a psychologist if you need help.”