Psychological disorders are prone to occur in quarantined people

A number of Indonesian citizens who were undergoing quarantine on Natuna Island were sent home on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Even though the Indonesian citizens were reported to be in good health, the study said there was a possibility that they experienced psychological problems after undergoing quarantine.

So, what are the effects of quarantine on a person's psychological condition? How to solve it?

Psychological disorders in quarantined people

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

People who undergo quarantine often experience psychological disorders such as fear and worry about being labeled a disease spreader. Even though they came home in good condition, there was still a bad stigma from the community that remained. Not infrequently some people feel depressed because of these views.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC) once conducted a study on the impact on people who were quarantined when the SARS virus broke out. The research shows that there is an influence on the psychological condition of the quarantined person.

The study was conducted by reviewing data from participants through a survey consisting of 152 multiple choice questions after the quarantine period ended. The survey given contains questions about things that happen during quarantine.

As a result, all correspondents indicated a feeling of isolation from the outside world. They admitted that limited social life and lack of physical contact with family were the most difficult things they experienced during the quarantine period.

Not only does it cause discomfort in the nose and breathing, the obligation to wear a mask at all times as a step to control infection also adds to the feeling of isolation.

Some people even feel anxious every time a temperature check comes. Their fear of a rise in body temperature makes them feel that the test is even more difficult to carry out. Some describe it as something that makes their hearts flutter as they wait for the results.

Stress levels were also found to be higher in people who served longer periods of quarantine. The longer they are in quarantine, the higher their fear of the symptoms that might get worse, one of the triggers is when they hear the news of the death of one of the SARS patients.

This impact will be even worse for people who have experienced traumatic events before. If not treated immediately, the person may develop symptoms post-traumatic disorder . Especially if the person is passing through a moment that involves something life-threatening.

In conclusion, the quarantine process has the potential to increase psychological disorders.

The health workers in quarantine are also experiencing psychological problems

Not only for people who are undergoing quarantine, the psychological impact is also felt on health workers who are in charge of caring for patients.

A group of researchers conducted interviews with 10 healthcare workers in Toronto who were quarantined for 10 days due to exposure to SARS. The officials described the dilemma as a worker who must remain alert in caring for patients and at the same time have their own concerns about transmitting the virus to those closest to them.

During the quarantine period, they must always wear masks and stay indoors. Not only does it have an impact on their psychological state, even though the quarantine is carried out at home, they still feel that this period also affects the closeness of their relationship with their family.

They feel isolated because of the lack of social contact with the people closest to them, and actions such as hugging other family members should also not be done. Furthermore, some of them also had to be separated from their partners by sleeping in different rooms.

The perceived stigma of society is no less bad. Even though the officers tried to understand and understood that this was the result of a lack of understanding of the disease and its risks, they still felt hurt and excluded.

Even when the outbreak began to decline, some officers denied that they had ever been involved in quarantine. This is done to avoid negative reactions that may arise from other people.

People who are already sensitive are more prone to stress

Looking at the cases of the spread of COVID-19 in recent months, Baruch Fischhoff Ph.D, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, also expressed his opinion through an interview with the American Psychological Association.

He said there was a difference between the SARS cases and the new coronavirus in their impact. SARS had a much higher fatality rate. Therefore, quarantined people tend to feel a lot of anxiety as more patients die. Moreover, the drugs available when the SARS case broke out were not as good as the drugs available today.

Especially if the patient is in a longer quarantine period. The more disturbed productivity, the more vulnerable a person will feel. Patients who are already sensitive are more likely to develop symptoms of stress or depression.

In fact, what is more worrying than the coronavirus case itself is the emerging social stigma.

The limited knowledge and information about COVID-19 makes people panic even more with various possibilities that could endanger their lives. It's no wonder that later they will try to stay away from everything that is risky, including people who have been quarantined.

This statement is not without evidence, 51% of correspondents in the SARS survey in 2004 claimed to have received different treatment from those around them. Some of them seemed to avoid meeting them, not being greeted, to the point of not being invited to an event with them.

This stigma will actually have a negative impact on the feelings of those who return from quarantine. That's why social support from the surrounding community is very meaningful.

Reporting from Kompas, President Joko Widodo appealed to the public to accept the return of Indonesian citizens from observations in Natuna properly. The quarantine period which is carried out for 14 days is of course according to the procedure, Indonesian citizens also return home in a healthy condition so that the community does not have to worry.