Coping with Omicron: First, normalise the situation as being a stressful one

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MENTAL HEALTH

Coping with Omicron: First, normalise the situation as being a stressful one

David Codyre

Saturday 5 March 2022, 09:00 AM

Paper_man_Stress_CR_Zimmytws_on_iStock-1249820043

Most people with health anxiety will be relieved to share their worry [Image: zimmytws on iStock]

Constant media saturation over the past two years has painted a catastrophic picture of COVID-19. Psychiatrist David Codyre explains that while this has been helpful in driving up immunisation rates, now that we are ‘learning to live with’ the virus, it is having unintended consequences

Key points, Many people will experience significant symptomatic health anxiety on testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of the variant. Some symptoms of hea, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

COVID-19

Mental Health

References

1. Kurcer MA, Erdogan Z, Cakir Kardes V. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health anxiety and cyberchondria levels of university students. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022;58(1):132–40.

2. Heinen A, Varghese S, Krayem A, et al. Understanding health anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021; 25 November online.

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