Depressed state: avoiding the pitfalls of despair in Corona times

THE DRASTIC MEASURES TAKEN to contain COVID-19 has only increased the risk of depression upon those who either were already dealing with it before things started or those who may be heading toward it due to having their daily routines altered in exchange of having to stay put.

“This is probably going to get worse before it gets better,” said Dr. Cannon Clifton, who has specialized in relieving severe depression and anxiety through Kalypso Ketamine, an infusion therapy that has also worked on easing PTSD, pain and inflammation. “It’s important to stress that it’s OK to ask for help. There are people that are willing to listen to you.”

Clifton sees this as an opportunity to stay occupied throughout this crisis. By being able to get outside and walk or to get involved in anything that can generate increased hormones, the chances of falling into a depressed state will diminish. Taking the opportunity to reconnect with old friends by simply calling to check on them is also another positive toward maintaining a clear state of mind.

“We have to constantly get the word out to raise our humanity,” he said. “Pick up the phone, do Facetime, but do something to let people know that you care. You’d be amazed how just talking for 5-10 minutes can really lift up the spirits of someone who is dealing with depression.”

There is, however, a certain sense of risk when it comes to binge watching. Many have used the time away from normality as a chance to catch up on current TV shows or reconnecting with shows of the past. Either way, Clifton believes there is a hidden danger lying dormant, as studies have shown excessive binge-watching leads to higher rates of depression.

“The whole point of a Netflix or Hulu is for us to be entertained and get away from the real world for a bit,” he said. “At the same time, especially in the situation we are facing, watching too much will lead to sense of fantasy or wishing that things were what they used to be before this happened. It’s a dangerous trap because it can easily lead to the opposite effect that you wanted when you started watching.”

Watching too much news also falls into the same category. Clifton stresses that it’s fine to want to be informed, but the advent of 24/7 news channels is leading to an increase in depression along with increased feelings of total despair. 

Clifton feels that the level of anxiety across the nation is at a level not seen since the first weeks after 9/11. Unfortunately, he believes the current situation could be far worse than the tragic Tuesday morning that befell the country nearly 19 years ago.

“The scope of what we are facing is going to be staggering when it’s said and done,” said Clifton. “That’s why it’s important that we come together and forget about the petty things that have been done. We need each more than we ever have as a nation.”