Have you felt anxious over the past year?
A recent report found that adult Canadians reported the world's third-highest levels of stress, anxiety and sadness over the course of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
And while many people who live alone feel isolated, others feel trapped with their family, friends or roommates. For frontline workers, particularly those in healthcare, the pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health issues. Not only are they worried about being exposed to the virus, but they were also already at a higher risk of developing PTSD, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Redditor time_for_the asked "Has anyone else developed social anxiety over the past year?" on the social media platform this week. They say that, "I [used] to be so social. Like OVERLY social - out [in] the city five nights a week. The pandemic hit hard and now it is as though I am addicted to being inside. I went out the other day walking and was extremely agitated, anxious, freaked out by people. I couldn't wait to get back home despite hating it. I feel I've lost touch with all my friends. I feel I need an integration plan or something."
Social anxiety in the time of coronavirus
At the time of this writing, the Reddit post has been up-voted 253 times and 87 people have commented on it. In one of the comments, someone says they haven't developed social anxiety--they always had it. In response, Redditor Clay_Statue writes, "I like to think I perfected it over the last year."
Redditor bakingmagpie notes that the amount of time locals have had to themselves during the pandemic has been detrimental to their mental health. "We've all been inside our own heads for so long, staring at our own reflections, not generally benefiting from those social interactions that help to give us opportunities to dress up, feel good and remind us we're part of something bigger than it's kind of inevitable that our self-criticism is soaring."
Vividblue444 writes that they used to go out "four nights a week" but now they feel anxious around people. "Even had a moment a few weeks ago where my brain completely froze while talking to someone new- I was glad I had my mask on, they probably couldn't tell."
"I feel like I just don’t want to talk to people when the opportunity arises."
Here are a few more stories from locals.
"I feel like I just don’t want to talk to people when the opportunity arises. When in the past, I love talking to others! Now I almost hope that “cashier isn’t chatty” or “Uber driver doesn’t ask about my day.” In the past, loved that! Re-integration will be needed for the rest of the year to come out strong for 2022," writes jnikonorova.
"I have always had anxiety and been a bit of a homebody but this past year has made it soooo much worse. The few times that I do interact in person with people outside of my family I feel so drained afterwards and overanalyze every word said. I have a solid group of friends that I’m still close with but I feel like I have to put a lot more work into maintaining those relationships than I used to. I’m excited for the world to safely open back up but I’m definitely a little scared of how awkward it’s going to be," writes pocompton.
"It’s made mine worse, but I think that’s normal given the circumstances. Isolation can make socializing feel weird and stressful. I know it comes and goes for me in phases though and I don’t think I’ll ever get as severe as I was in the past. Some small doses of socializing that ramp up over time really help get back into the habit and remind your brain that it’s actually OK," writes piedamon.
Groups of up to 10 people allowed
Last week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that groups of up to 10 people are able to gather outdoors in places like the beach, a park or in someone's backyard. However, all restrictions for indoor gatherings remain in place. No indoor gatherings of any size are allowed.
Further, Henry underscored that British Columbians should not gather with new groups of people at this time.
