Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Anxiety issue
My father in law has developed anxiety due to covid 19.
He has lost sleep and started thinking that he is contaminated with virus and will spread this virus to other family members and wants everyone to leave him alone.
He is over stressed even he has not stepped out of the house.
Please help us out to cope up with this situation.
Answers (7)
Like the answers? Consult privately with the doctor of your choice
Hello there,
Your concern for your father in law is one faced by many in these difficult times and can be managed with a few extra steps. I would suggest that you take care to limit his exposure to COVID related news to just headlines instead of full coverage shows and videos. Add some simple physical activities or relaxing pranayam in the mornings might help calm his mind, along with his participation in day-to-day life of the house and it's members, with gloves if he insists. You can also keep him connected with his contacts, watch old movies, go through old photo albums together....simple activities to take his mind off the worries and spend time with family.
Next Steps
If the problem persists, it would be a good idea to consult a psychologist for further guidance.
Health Tips
keep him busy in activities of his choice and minimize News watching
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+131
Hi, i understand your situation. Talk to him by educating him about the covid 19 in detail, how it spreads and also safety measures to be taken to prevent it. Support him and be safe.
Next Steps
if everything is fine, well and good. if still continues talk to psychologist.
Health Tips
Divert his mind, keep him occupied with little chores of work. Try to avoid listening to news often related to the same for a while.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Thank you for sharing your concern. I appreciate that you are approaching help from professionals. What your father in law is going through it's anxiety and it's quite natural due to extraordinary situation in country,also age factor matters.Make him understand that if death occurred due to covid-19 so there also people are recovering from covid-19 more than a deaths rate in our country. Also take help from to Aarogya Setu government app. See to it that he is not watching repetitive news on television for same day it's contaminate elders mind alot. One can also take help to get more information/ guidance to stay safe from Covid-19 by approaching free helpline number, Still find difficult to deal, than I suggest you consult with Psychologist to help him best.
Next Steps
Consult with Psychologist if needed.
Health Tips
Try to divert his Mind into Positivity.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hello, your father-in-law seems to have developed severe anxiety. Feeling highly stressed at this point of time is very obvious. Since he is an elderly person, reduce the amount of media exposure because there is too much covid-19 news. In these people get irritated easily and remains preoccupied with the negative thoughts. So he needs a lot of family support.
Next Steps
Immediately consult a psychiatrist/ clinical psychologist for a proper treatment.
Health Tips
Communicate with him, spend quality time and keep him engaged in different activities, and that might help in breaking the ice. Moreover, since online consultations are possible now, you can connect with any mental health professional from your comfort zone.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Thank you so much for addressing your concern. The best way to help your father in - law will be to consult with a mental health professional online. The professional can facilitate a consultation and can help him deal with his stress.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Ananthi
Counselling Psychologist
13 yrs exp
Chennai
Please ask him to get phone or online counselling from a psychologist. So that his fears will be reduced and anxiety will decrease. We can give him some suggestions to follow. He might feel loneliness according to his age and have doubts about himself developing the spread of disease. So he needs to vent his thoughts and fears. In this lockdown he can strategically follow talking to new or very old friends of him. You can talk, spend time with him on how he desires to spend his leisure activities. This will reduce his anxiety. For further in depth information please feel free to contact us.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Ms. Nikeeta Shah
Psychologist
3 yrs exp
Pune
Hi! Your father in law has certainly developed severe anxiety against coronavirus. And since he's not letting anybody in, it'll be difficult to reach out to him and explain his irrational fears. Please try to make him get in touch with a clinical psychologist first to understand the severity of his fear. If that doesn't work, consulting with a psychiatrist to mellow down his anxiety first might help even more.
Next Steps
see if he's okay to go ahead with counseling sessions which do happen online(via telephonic/video calls). If that doesn't work, you may consult a psychiatrist to start with medication to make his symptoms of fear and agitation milder.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.