災害に伴う精神の危機

Lockdown is the world's biggest psychological experiment - and we will pay the price

In short, and perhaps unsurprisingly, people who are quarantined are very likely to develop a wide range of symptoms of psychological stress and disorder, including low mood, insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, irritability, emotional exhaustion, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Low mood and irritability specifically stand out as being very common, the study notes.

Among quarantined hospital staff, almost 10% reported “high depressive symptoms” up to three years after being quarantined. Another study reporting on the long-term effects of SARS quarantine among healthcare workers found a long-term risk for alcohol abuse, self-medication and long-lasting “avoidance” behaviour. This means that years after being quarantined, some hospital workers still avoid being in close contact with patients by simply not showing up for work.

Reasons for stress abound in lockdown: there is risk of infection, fear of becoming sick or of losing loved ones, as well as the prospect of financial hardship. All these, and many more, are present in this current pandemic.

　パンデミックなどの災害による外出自粛が長く続くと、感染、罹病、失業、近親者を失う不安や財政的に暗い見通ししかないことから、落ち込み、不眠、ストレス、不安、怒り、要らだい、精神披露、鬱、外傷後ストレス障害などの精神障害の症状がでやすくなり、また、災害が過ぎたあとでも、その影響がのこり欠勤が増えたりするんだ、と。