Post covid mental health observations from a clinician & from someone who had it 2 months ago: I feel like there is a lot that's getting missed 'cause we're perpetually stressed but there are some observations I've made with those who made a full recovery-irrespective of severity Emotional lulls - so many unexplained emotional lulls. The best way for me to describe an emotional lull is disinterest in activities but also in socialising,communication fatigue, feeling blank in the head or overstimulation, random mood episodes. Someone called it a 'funk'.

Things I have learnt after having 4 burnouts this year: Burnout is caused by prolonged stress exposure + extreme exhaustion. The 1st burnout I had showed up as symptoms similar to COVID - body fatigue, fever, dry cough coupled with difficulty concentrating and extreme irritation Showed up out of nowhere and knocked me out for 5 days. After 5 days, I felt much better, like my physical and emotional energy had returned to some degree. Thing is, I could do NOTHING for the 5 days so my body got the rest it had been asking for, for months.

When u put the onus of ‘mental fitness’ on the individual,u snatch responsibility from the oppressive hierarchies that contribute to their mental health stressors,make them vulnerable to violence + reduce their access to resources.Stop listening to influencers acting like experts Since nothing pisses me off more than misinformation about mental health and the romanticisation of mental wellness, I’m going to take some time to bust some myths by this influencer. Firstly, if these are ‘truths’, I’d like to see citation backing the claims.

If you know teenagers within your family/other circles, I encourage you to talk to them. Talk to them about their stressors, struggles, relationships, sex, school, college, build a relationship with them. Try. Reassure them that they have a safe space for honest communication. I am talking about this for all gender and sexual identities. Violence is a structural issue and vulnerability to violence is much higher with the hyperconnectedness that the internet allows for, these days.

As a 27 year old, who is considered high risk for COVID19, living with 60 something year old parents who are also high risk, the one thing that has started helping me manage my anxiety is safety planning, preparing myself & making sure I look after myself. I have asthma, which is usually managed, but when it flares, it is horrifying. I’ve been educating myself more and more about how COVID19 risk factors are higher for people with asthma. It’s scary to look at the information, so I do it in pieces. I read some, take time to process

Warning signs for symptoms of anxiety in a time of enforced social isolation: feeling a flood of rapid thoughts,increased heart rate, feeling breathless or shallow breathing, feeling a sense of ‘doom’,concerns with sleep and appetite, difficulties with regulating emotions (contd) ... thinking of all the worst case scenarios, nightmares, difficulties with focus and concentration, difficulty in completing tasks, feeling obsessive about thoughts related to worst case scenarios + more.

Warning signs for symptoms of a depressive episode in enforced social isolation : feeling fatigued, demotivated, sleeping too much or too little, low mood, foggy memory, feeling lonely, having thoughts about feeling unloved/unwanted, difficulty maintaining hygiene. Things you can do: Prepare for this, just like you would for any other health risk. Make a list of coping strategies that work and keep it handy, encorporate a routine to your day as much as possible - consistency helps (contd)..

Been a while to come of these threads and here, I am trying to address some do's and don'ts while supporting a loved one who is experiencing suicidal ideation/intent. If a loved one is admitting to experiencing suicidal ideation, it's a positive sign. Do - Practice active listening. Don't hear to only respond. Hold the space for venting. It's an admission to exhaustion, despair, feelings of isolation and more. Maintain a soft tone in voice, reassuring in language, control over facial expressions & non verbal cues.

3.20am. I’m taking an auto from Khar West. The driver scans me like he’s checking me out. My friend urges me to send my live location to her. I take the auto and he continues to stare at me from the rear view mirror. You know that stare, the creepy one. I call a friend and talk to him in the hope that that helps the situation. Then I remember that a minister claimed that I should call 100 instead of calling a friend when I’m scared, so I keep the number dialled and ready to call. I warn my friend about the circumstances.

Gaslighting is common in family but it is very acceptable in South Asian families. It's normalised to a dangerous degree and it is usually a form of manipulation that is dressed as concern. Gaslighting looks like an assertion of power in South Asian families. Often, age and years of experience is used to dismiss the lived experiences or opinions of younger folk. Assertion of beliefs like 'we know what's best for you' is also commonplace

Hello! Thought I’d do a small breakdown on the psychosomatic aspects of mental illness, especially symptoms of depression and anxiety. A less popularised fact is that depression and anxiety can be diagnoses but can also be symptoms of other physiological & psychological illnesses What does psychosomatic mean? - Psychosomatic is the best way to describe the relation between the brain and the body because it it constitutes the ways in which mental distress has physical symptoms experienced by the body.

Hello. Since self-harm is extremely stigmatised and poorly understood. For the purpose of awareness, I thought to dissect it a little today. This is only scratching the surface but I hope it is helpful. Self harm can often be a consequence of mental distress. It is not a diagnosis by itself. It includes activities done voluntarily. Scratching, cutting, biting, burning, overdosing on medication, substance misuse are some examples.

Recognising gas lighting. Gas lighting is a very common form of psychological manipulation and abuse. It can go unnoticed or get dismissed under the umbrella of abuse because of how subtle it is. It’s also gradual in nature and easily normalised. Gas lighting is seen in all relationships, not only romantic relationships. It’s a manipulative technique where the emotional burden of a relationship is carried most often by one out of the two people involved.

Hello. Let’s talk panic attacks. I am noticing that numerous people are experiencing heightened mental distress, so I am going to try and provide some helpful ways in which you can help a friend who’s having a panic attack. Do - Validate. If they say that they’re struggling, agree and tell them that it sucks but that you’re right there. Agree with them when they say that their distress feels scary and real.

I will keep adding more in this thread. Attaching some helpful tools to manage active trauma triggers, panic attacks and symptoms of heightened anxiety and even thoughts of self harm. #MeTooIndia #MentalHealthIndia If you're having nightmares or having immense trouble to fall asleep because you feel activated by triggers, try a body scan exercise to active relax your muscles. Something like this: