Mental toll of coronavirus pandemic, politics and holidays piling up, overwhelming patients and therapists

Nov. 23--While coronavirus cases continue to climb across the country, another surge is also occurring in mental illness, and doctors say it isn't going away anytime soon as patients battle depression and anxiety amid the pandemic, current political climate and upcoming holidays.

"We are seeing a most extreme mental health surge with a lot of anxiety and depression, I think in general people are feeling frayed," said Dr. Gillian Galen, clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital.

Galen said instead of receiving calls for referrals a few times a month, it now happens a few times a week, and therapists are exhausted and their practices are full.

"I think there are going to be not enough therapists for the need," said Galen.

The increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression are coming from a multitude of factors dealing with the ongoing pandemic, tumultuous 2020 election and the upcoming holiday season which could be spent in insolation for some.

"People are exhausted with the unknown. I think people are desperate for a sense of certainty," said Galen.

She said recent data has shown a spike in depression and anxiety following loss of employment or losing a loved one to coronavirus. Loneliness and isolation are also risk factors for mental illness, said Galen.

The stress of current events will now also be met with the darker, colder days of winter. Galen said in general, people are operating on no reserves and are experiencing fatigue, irritability and less joy in activities.

The polarization of the election and the ongoing uncertainty in the transfer of power is also weighing on people and their relationships with friends and family who don't share the same political views.

Galen said to be mindful of such relationships, "It's not that they're terrible people, it's that we have a different view on things. ...The less judgmental we are of people, the better we are going to feel."

Karestan Koenen, a Harvard psychiatric epidemiologist, said Congress needs to pass a stimulus package that will help people get unemployment benefits and avoid losing their homes.

"When people lose income and they lose their homes, that increases mental health problems. So that would be number one," said Koenen during a recent webcast about mental health and resiliency.

When it comes to the upcoming holidays, Koenen said to think of creative ways of celebrating safely that still bring joy, such as delivering festive food to loved ones.

Making time to acknowledge and talk about good memories of loved ones lost to COVID-19 will also be important during the holiday season, she said.

"It's a balance of acknowledging that things are hard and not (telling) yourself that they're not," said Koenen.

Galen said to look out for isolation, disinterest, chronic worry and changes in sleeping or eating in yourself and your loved ones as signs of anxiety and depression.

Both Koenen and Galen said there are many things one can do to help improve mental health and bring joy to daily life.

They recommended exercising, taking up a new hobby, meditating, taking time off of work or school and stepping away from smartphones and computers.

"You have to figure out ways to bring yourself joy in life," said Galen.

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