Anxiety, depression 'more likely' in those facing a health threat like COVID

A recent study completed by Oxford University has indicated 20 per cent of people who contacted COVID-19 developed a psychiatric disorder within 90 days of infection.

Lifeline Australia CEO John Brogden told Sky News the study findings were not completely surprising because undergoing a quarantine period takes away two fundamental human needs; “certainty” and “human contact”.

“When you’re given a diagnosis of COVID that could in fact lead to greater physical illness, or death frankly, and in the UK of course the experience is a much higher death rate than it is here in Australia,” he said.

“With those factors in play there is a high likelihood that people become anxious and that leads to a clinical anxiety, that they become depressed.

“It’s always been the case that shocks to people’s physical health d bring on the risk of mental illness as well.”

Mr Brogden said he considered the“physical isolation” felt by those in quarantine to be “forced loneliness.”

Видео Anxiety, depression 'more likely' in those facing a health threat like COVID канала Sky News Australia