Impact of Isolation on Mental Health
Introduction
In this document, the impact of isolation, voluntary or compulsory isolation due to situations like pandemics, on mental health will be discussed. The researcher will examine how isolation causes anxiety, stress, other symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorders, and changes in behavior. The paper will also highlight how isolation affects or worsens the mental health of individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Impact of Isolation on Mental Health
Isolation can occur in different ways, for instance, physical isolation or quarantine, and situations where an individual avoids interacting with others by keeping to themselves. Quarantine has been used for centuries to help prevent the spread of highly contagious infections, or isolate individuals who might have been exposed to the infections to avoid the chance of that person spreading the infectious disease to others and limit contamination (site). For instance, the current ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, which started in Wuhan, in China at the end of 2019, spread rapidly in many parts of the world, quickly turning into a pandemic. As a result of the spread of this virus, many countries implemented modern quarantine plans to curtail the continued spread of this virus. These isolation strategies include voluntary curfews where individuals stay at home, medium and short-term lockdown where they are made to stay at home by authorities, restricting assembly of people into groups, cancelling planned public and social events, closing mass transit transport systems and implementing different travel restrictions.
Because of the rapid spread of the virus, modern strategies of isolation continue to be imposed globally to prevent the spread of this disease, causing substantial global disruption to whole countries, communities, families, and individuals. These implemented quarantine strategies have impacted much of the worldwide population, progressively changing familiar ways of life into sophisticated life aspects that were previously less uncomplicated. For many individuals, their daily lives have been altered dramatically where normal life has become indefinitely suspended.
Imposed isolation or quarantine, in particular, results in unpleasant and unfamiliar experiences that involve the separation of family and friends and leaving the everyday activities that people are accustomed to. Because of isolation, many of the usual activities become prohibited. Situations then become similar to that in places like prison or correction centers where isolation is used as a type of censure or punishment. Research has shown that isolation can result in psychological problems, particularly for individuals who are considered to be vulnerable. According to (site), while every human is at the risk of psychological danger when is in isolation, those who are vulnerable are adolescents, children, minority groups (especially those in the lower socio-economic category), older adults, females, as well as individuals who have pre-existing conditions of mental health.
Alterations to the normal ways of living can make individuals feel unsafe and anxious. The feelings of insecurity are associated with a disease-fear known as contagion nexus, for instance, not understanding or knowing the progression of the cause of the illness and results, misinformation, and rumors which can result in marginalization of or discrimination of individuals of certain descent (site). There is an increased need for support in times of severe events and situations like in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to Hawryluck et al. (2004), lack of social support during isolation can threaten people’s connectedness sense and impact their mental health significantly.
According to Brooks et al. (2020) and Desclaux, Badji, Ndione, and Snow (2017), the severe results linked to mass isolating people during instances like quarantine only mean that such decisions can only be made in dire circumstances. These researchers say that social isolation liked to isolation can be the beginning of numerous mental health illnesses, even in individuals who have never had mental illnesses. Some of the conditions the authors have linked to isolation are poor communication, lack of necessary or sufficient supplies, loneliness, boredom and frustration, and financial concern, which leads to stress, anxiety, panic, fear, and depressive symptoms.
Brooks et al. (2020) claim that the longer an individual remains confined in a place or is isolated, the poor their mental health becomes, particularly symptoms linked to post-traumatic stress disorders or PTSD, anger, and avoidance behavior, become common. Additionally, with longer isolations, people develop increasing signs of PTSD that can show that isolation can be experienced or perceives as an event that traumatic. Other stressors linked to isolation can involve less or irregular supply of normal supplies, like medication and food items, and the limitation of normal daily activities.
Research shows that these negative impacts of isolation on mental health do not stop even after isolation but continue for a significant period afterward. For instance, individuals can develop avoidance behaviors like limited direct contact with crowds and other people, even with relatives and previous friends. The individuals can also become less social and can avoid public and enclosed places. Others may even avoid going back to their workplaces (Marjanovic, Greenglass, and Coffey, 2007). Reynolds et al. (2008) point out the long-term changes to people’s behavior as a result of isolation. For example, these authors say that individuals may develop excessive hand washing.
Jeong et al. (2016) say that individuals with existing conditions of mental health are often significantly affected by isolation. According to these researchers, isolation exacerbates the feelings of anger and anxiety. The authors also claim that individuals who have severe mental diseases can be severely affected by social isolation and different social issues, thus magnifying vulnerabilities like poor physical health, loneliness, or homelessness. Wilson, McCloughen, Parr, and Jackson (2019) say that homelessness exposes individuals to the risk of various adverse health outcomes, which can be aggravated by isolation during situations like the pandemic.
Math et al. (2008) claim that most individuals with severe mental conduction usually experience exacerbated pre-existing signs because of disasters. Moreover, these individuals can quickly develop PTSD conditions after experiencing traumatic events. Furthermore, people who are under the treatment of various conditions like alcoholism and similar issues can be vulnerable to additional complications and setbacks which arise from social isolation. Many individuals in different categories that depend on different programs and supports can be impacted by the interruption of isolation during situations like disease outbreaks. Milligan and McGuinness (2009) say that getting individuals securely through cases like pandemics should be the priority, and efforts and targeted resources should be made to make sure that the people who are at more risk of developing mental illness maintain a normal routine or return to normalcy as quickly as possible. Researchers and health professionals continue to campaign for individuals in the community who are at higher risk of developing mental illness under situations like pandemics. These cause uncertainties and stress, particularly those who have pre-existing mental health illnesses and other related social problems (Milligan and McGuinness, 2009).
Conclusion
This paper has shown that isolation can occur in several forms, such as physical isolation or quarantine, and situations where an individual avoids interacting with others by keeping to themselves. These methods can help curb the spread of dangerous illnesses such as those caused by highly contagious viruses like the coronavirus, which is currently affecting the world. The research has shown that isolation causes serious mental health effects, particularly to those with pre-existing mental health disorders. The study has demonstrated that isolation separates a person from family, friends, and daily routines, and prevents them from getting sufficient food or supplies. In some people, it results in the feelings of insecurity, which is associated with a disease-fear known as contagion nexus. It also leads to symptoms linked to post-traumatic stress disorders or PTSD, anger, and avoidance behavior. Lastly, the paper has demonstrated that isolation can make a person to develop avoidance behaviors like limited direct contact with crowds and other people, even with relatives and previous friends and behavioral changes like excessive hand washing.