July 20, 2021
Dear Doctor,
I am recovering from Covid infection. I became positive last month. It was a very tough period for me. I still have weakness and leg cramps. I am feeling very sad these days. I am thinking when all this will end. How will I have my freedom back? When we will stop wearing masks? It is difficult to sleep. I have bouts of cough especially at night. I keep checking my saturation. I think I will never become alright.
Pranav
Dear Mr Pranav,
At the outset accept my hearty congratulations on defeating Covid. You should be very happy and feel blessed about same. It must have been tough for you. But I am sure slowly but surely you will get better. Eat protein rich food. Follow a routine. Take rest. You have symptoms of depression. I would recommend that you consult a psychiatrist so that you’re able to be more positive. Physically, you are on the road to recovery. Positivity will improve your Quality of life.
Dear Doctor,
I lost 2 relatives to Covid in the first wave. It was devastating for me. In the second wave, my neighbour got seriously ill with Covid pneumonia. I seriously think that I will Get Covid. Even if I sneeze I cannot sleep the whole night. I keep visiting doctors. I keep googling Covid related stuff. My family doctor asked me to consult a psychiatrist. Am I going Mad?
Reeta
Dear Reeta,
I can understand what you may be going through. It’s heart-breaking to lose somebody. During a pandemic it is but natural to feel hypochondriacal. But, if it is excessive it will lead to disruption of your day to day routine and you won’t be able to enjoy your life. I am sure you are careful and taking all the necessary precautions not to contact Covid. However, you continue to search for its symptoms. I would strongly recommend that you stop googling your symptoms and doing medical searches on the same topic. Idle mind is the devils workshop. Keep yourself busy. Talk to positive people. Have a good routine. Eat protein rich food. Consulting a psychiatrist is a good idea because counselling goes a long way in improving mental health. Having a professional listen to you impartially makes a huge difference. All the best.
Dear Doctor,
Can you give me some tips to be more positive? I have lost my job. My brother also is jobless. My parents are old. We don’t have much savings. Whenever I look at news and hear what is being said, I think we are close to dooms day. At times I believe this pandemic will never end and things will never go back to normal. And some days I feel that everything will be okay. Earlier I was able to pray but now I cannot concentrate. I am a graduate and I had a clerical job. It is a very hopeless and helpless situation.
Michele
Dear Michele,
Here are your tips to be positive
1. Believe in yourself
2. Follow good routine
3. Don’t watch too much of news
4. Exercise regularly
5. Learn a skill which will later help you get a good job
6. Help your brother to also do the same
7. Take care of your parents
8. Continue to pray even though you cannot concentrate
9. Spend money judiciously
10. Keep yourself busy
11. Keep in touch with your friends and talk to people who are positive in their outlook
12. Keep the communication channels open with future employers
I am sensing underlying depression. I would recommend you visit a mental health professional to rule out syndromal depression which requires treatment.