1 in 6 Americans Went Into Therapy for the First Time in 2020 by Dr. Joseph Mercola for Mercola
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be so mentally exhausting that 1 in 6 Americans started therapy for the first time during 2020, joining the 31% of Americans who already received therapy, or returned to it, that year.1 The findings come from a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, commissioned by Vida Health, which shines a spotlight on the mental health toll taken by the pandemic.
Nearly half (45%) of the survey respondents confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic was the driving reason that triggered them to seek a therapist’s help, with only 15% saying the pandemic did not damage the state of their mental health.2 One respondent even stated, “My ‘depression’ is a direct result of the pandemic, not an ongoing condition.”
What’s more, 15% began taking medication for mental health issues for the first time in 2020, while another 15% changed or increased their prescription medication dosages.
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Many of those entering therapy (47%) said they believed doing so was a sign of weakness, but seeking help for overwhelming stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges is actually a sign of strength — and a necessity for many during COVID-19 lockdowns. Vida Health’s chief clinical officer Chris Mosunic, Ph.D., said in a statement:3
“Americans often place other priorities above their own mental health needs, not just because of stigma but because of time. They often see work, home and social responsibilities as being more important than their personal health and well-being. But just as they tell you on airplanes when the oxygen masks come down, we can’t help others if we don’t take care ourselves first.”
COVID-19, Winter Collide to Worsen Mental Health
The winter months are proving to be especially difficult for many — but not because of a concurrent epidemic of flu cases. The loss of daylight hours that occur during winter trigger “winter blues” or the more significant seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in a sizeable portion of the population.
What differentiates SAD from regular depression is that a full remission occurs in the spring and summer months. Common SAD symptoms include oversleeping, intense carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain. Some people also have trouble concentrating and withdraw socially, preferring to “hibernate” indoors instead of engaging in their typical daily activities.4
This, coupled with COVID-19-imposed quarantines, social distancing and lockdowns, is creating a winter unlike any other in recent memory, making the dark days even darker from a mental health perspective. According to the survey, 62% agreed that they feel more depressed during the winter, and 32% said winter is the worst season for their mental health.5
If this sounds familiar, light therapy (including blue light exposure in the morning, but not later in the day) can be helpful in giving your mood a boost, as can optimizing your vitamin D levels, which is useful not only for treating SAD6 but also for warding off infectious disease.
