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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 12
| Issue : 3 | Page : 187-188 |
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Fear and anxiety-coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic in lockdown
Rushabh Jayeshbhai Dagli
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jodhpur 302033, Rajasthan, India
| Date of Submission | 11-Apr-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 12-Apr-2020 |
| Date of Acceptance | 12-Apr-2020 |
| Date of Web Publication | 02-Jun-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Rushabh Jayeshbhai Dagli
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jodhpur 302033, Rajasthan
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/JIOH.JIOH_133_20
How to cite this article:
Dagli RJ. Fear and anxiety-coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic in lockdown. J Int Oral Health 2020;12:187-8 |
The biological bases of fear and anxiety are dependent on the major brain structures, and neuronal circuits involved in emotional information processing and behavior are demarcated. Emotional and cognitive processes cannot be dissociated, even when considering such a basic emotion as fear or anxiety.[1] Extended periods of lockdown and inability to go out of home for more days itself are stressful for COVID-19 noninfected individuals. The cognitive apprehension of COVID-19 pandemic situations is critically involved in emotional distress and also influences coping strategies or defense mechanisms.
Doctors and hospitals are available on priority for COVID-19 patients, and mental health issues are usually not given priority till COVID-19 cases are on rise. Young and working individuals have further stress due to responsibility of family care, future career, and financial needs. Psychologically, when the living environment changes to compulsory lockdown, people feel uneasy and anxious.[2]
When the possible causes of spread for epidemic is not clear, close-minded attitudes and rumors often increase. Fear and stigma lead to further negative behavior. For example, an Indian person who was suspected to have COVID-19 infection was so fearful to spread the virus that he committed suicide.[3]
It is essential to have a brief idea of available methods to remain away from fear and anxiety in lockdown. The options of coping are not exactly similar to routine conditions. It is needed to understand the difference of coping methods. There are options with self home care–based approach as described in [Table 1]. | Table 1: Difference in stress/anxiety coping strategies in routine circumstances and COVID-19 lockdown
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Acknowledgement
I am thankful to Rashtra Sant Param Gurudevshree Namramuni Maharajsahaeb for keeping the book “Shree Uvasaggaharam Strotra” available, providing valuable guidance and inspiration.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Steimer T. The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2002;4:231-49.  |
| 2. | Shigemura J, Ursano RJ, Morganstein JC, Kurosawa M, Benedek DM. Public responses to the novel 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Japan: Mental health consequences and target populations. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci2020;74:281-2. |
| 3. | India Today. Andhra man wrongly thinks he has coronavirus, kills self to protect village. Available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/andhra-pradesh-chittoor-man-wrongly-believes-coronavirus-kills-self-1645578-2020-02-12. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 3]. |
| 4. | National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Division of Viral Diseases. Page last reviewed: April 9, 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 10]. |
| 5. | How to Manage and Reduce Stress. London, UK: Mental Health Foundation. Available from: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 3]. |
| 6. | Pratikraman Sutra Book. Raleigh, NC: JAINA Education Committee Federation of Jain Associations in North America. 1st ed. 2014. p. 50-2. Available from: https://jainelibrary.org/elib_master/jaina_edu/jaina_edu_book/$jes941_pratikraman_sutra_book_in_english_000249_data.pdf. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 8]. |
| 7. | Yug Diwakar Pujya Gurudevshree Namramuni Maharajsahaeb. Shree Uvasaggahar Stotra. 1st ed. Mumbai, India: Parasdham. 2011. Available from https://parasdham.org/books/. [Last accessed on 2020 Mar 25]. |
[Table 1]
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