Noting that cleaning habits have changed due to the coronavirus outbreak, experts say this may increase the anxiety of people who tend to worry about health and cleanliness. Experts emphasize that the likelihood of obsessions with cleanliness and health may become permanent in these people who are predisposed after the epidemic.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu said that in these days when the coronavirus epidemic is on the agenda, experts' cleaning and hygiene warnings are taken into consideration.
Noting that it is possible to predict that people who have a tendency to worry about health or cleanliness will increase some anxiety, as well as a positive effect such as better awareness about cleaning, Sera Elbaşoğlu said, "After the epidemic, there is a possibility of obsessions about cleaning and even health-related obsessions in these people who are prone to anxiety and obsessions."
Some anxiety is normal and necessary
Expert Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu stated that concerns in this direction are normal in moderation and said, "In the face of COVID-19, which is currently experienced globally and poses a life risk, it is extremely normal for people to be a little anxious and even necessary as a mobilizing force to take precautions. However, it should not be forgotten that constantly thinking about this issue or constantly reading the news will only increase anxiety and will not be beneficial for taking precautions."
Social isolation and hand hygiene are vital measures
Noting that the precautions taken during this period and the cleaning obsessions in OCD are different from each other, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu said, "Social isolation and cleaning behaviors such as frequent hand washing, showering and cleaning of objects, which are the recommendations of experts and the Ministry of Health, are not compulsive cleaning rituals, but vital measures. In this sense, it should be kept in mind that the cleaning obsessions in OCD are measures taken against hypothetical dirt and microbes. As long as the real threat of COVID-19 continues, all cleaning and protection behaviors recommended by experts should be done in the manner, duration, frequency and amount they recommend."
Behavior will return to normal after the pandemic threat
Sera Elbaşoğlu said, "At the point where the epidemic ceases to be a threat, it is quite possible to predict that these behaviors will normalize spontaneously for the majority after a while. This period will, of course, differ between individuals," she warned.
Cleaning obsessions may intensify during this period
Sera Elbaşoğlu noted that the symptoms related to the disease may increase especially in people who are obsessed with cleanliness during this period, and said the following:
"As with almost all people with psychiatric complaints, people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder with cleaning obsessions tend to be more psychologically fragile. This can make it more difficult for them to cope with the fear and anxiety of this period, and their symptoms may increase. Cleaning and washing compulsions, which are a key feature of OCD, can easily be exacerbated by the threat of an infectious pandemic. Depression rates may also increase. Sleep problems, phobia-like behaviors can lead to panic-like symptoms."
Sufficient information not to increase anxiety
Stating that people who are obsessed with cleanliness should listen to the experts of the subject during this period, Sera Elbaşoğlu said, "They should listen to and apply the cleaning and precautions to be taken recommended by authorized public institutions and medical doctors who are experts in the subject, and even if they feel pressure to do more, they should not do it. It is important to obtain sufficient information on this subject, but engaging in activities such as reading and watching videos will increase anxiety and pave the way for obsessions or obsessions to increase, as in other people."
People can adapt to every situation
Expert Clinical Psychologist Sera Elbaşoğlu, who made suggestions to spend this period in the most balanced way, said: "First of all, I would like to emphasize that it is normal and even necessary to experience a certain level of anxiety during this period. Our current cleaning habits, social life and work life are quite different from our usual times. Naturally, we will not feel the same as usual. But it is no secret that human beings are very good at psychological and physical adaptation. Anyone who looks at their personal life will remember that they have faced many challenges and still managed to move on. If we accept that we will not go through this process without any difficulty or distress, we can adapt to this psychological state and our unusual daily life much faster and wait patiently for the end of the process."
These recommendations should be heeded
Sera Elbaşoğlu also listed the things that can be done to spend this period in a more balanced way as follows: "The fact that we spend our time at home by following the social distancing rule does not mean that we will not socialize. It will be good to maintain a social life by making internet/phone calls with family and friends that are not only focused on COVID-19 news, to increase the limited physical activity level with activities that help to calm down mentally such as exercise, yoga, meditation, watching movies/series, reading books/magazines, visiting museums that are already open on the internet." >