The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 46 No. 4 - FPSC 84 COVID-19: Singapore Experience

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Caregivers and Patients

Kua Ee Heok
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 46 No 4 - FPSC 84 COVID-19: Singapore Experience
30 - 31
1 July 2020
0377-5305
Four mental health effects are the consequences of the current pandemic of coronavirus infection across the globe. These are fear, anxiety, burnout, and isolation perceived by medical practitioners and patients. The individuals affected may have been pre-morbidly well or the pandemic is an aggravating factor to existing mental health morbidity. Fear of contagion affects our duties to patients; a sense of responsibilities keeps us going. Anxiety can be allayed by attention to habits of mental resilience both in ourselves and taught to anxious patients to help them cope better. Burnout can occur with prolonged sense of helplessness. Having a team or circle of friends whom we can tap on to help us cope can prevent burnout; we need to nurture such social capital. “Circuit breaker” can be interpreted differently namely, from a time of restriction to a time of reflection.