DURBAN - The anxiety around Covid-19 is palpable in the country, as the number of confirmed infections has risen to over 118,000 and about 2,292 people have succumbed to the virus.
According to Rakhi Beekrum, counselling psychologist anxiety is a common psychological consequence of testing positive for Covid-19. The anxiety is not always irrational, it often centres around uncertainty, anxiety about one’s prognosis, fear of being stigmatised, fear of infecting others and the unpredictability of the virus.
“Depending on the individual’s risk factors (Such as pre-existing conditions), the anxiety may be heightened. Furthermore, self-isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Testing positive for the virus may exacerbate existing mental health challenges such as mood and anxiety disorders,” she said.