It’s time to bond more with family, says psychiatrist

Coimbatore: The lockdown and the subsequent isolation seem to have emotionally affected a lot of people, who are increasingly turning to mental health doctors to recover from the ever-growing stress levels. According to Dr K Vinod Balaji, consultant psychiatrist at the G Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, the time calls for developing more intimacy and bonding with family members, especially children.
He says lockdown has made an impact on everyone, including children. “When schools were shut early, children would have been a happier lot. But the reality that the summer vacation wouldn’t be fun-filled as the previous years would have sunk in them soon, eroding their happiness. They might experience a range of psychological issues like fear, anxiety, loss of appetite, boredom and sleep deprivation.”
To keep them emotionally stable, Vinod says, it is important to explain to them about the current situation in simple words and reassure them. “Parents should figure out a daily routine to keep them engaged. This could include academic work, simple household chores, allowing them to interact with friends and relatives, and innovative and creative games. Parents should not vent their frustrations on children. This as an opportunity to develop strong bonding with them by having friendly conversations.”
While lockdown has impacted people across the age groups, he says, the most affected are elderly people and they are likely to experience more stress and difficulties in accessing essential services. “They might feel neglected because of social isolation.”
Pointing out that elderly people are more prone to the disease (Covid-19), the psychiatrist says worries about their physical wellbeing might stress them out and that they might feel sleeplessness, boredom, nightmare and fear of contacting the virus. “The only way to help them is to create more awareness, provide assurances through their friends and families and assist them with essential services.”
He says there is a high chance of most people experiencing sleep disorder in the present circumstances. “Without proper sleep, one would become cranky, tired and lose focus. Prolonged sleep deprivation might cause physical illness too. Hence, it is always important to follow the bedtime schedule. Even if we go to bed late, we have to wake up on time.”
While physical exercise should be done for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour, Vinod says the same should not be done around the bedtime, as it might disturb the quality of sleep. “Only lighter meal should be taken at night. It is advisable to avoid usage of television or other electronic gadgets at least an hour before the bedtime, as they would stimulate the brain. If one does not get sleep after following this routine, they might have to seek for assistance.”
The psychiatrist says most people would recover spontaneously once the pandemic ends. “While some will recover on their own, others might need assistance.”