The ongoing pandemic has taken a toll on the youth, especially when it comes to their mental health. Doctors say that due to the curbs on outdoor activities there have been issues of appetite problems, weight gain, and irritability amongst youths.
Pandemic takes a toll on not only physical health
According to a private hospital, cases of anxiety, social media addiction, and depression have been on the rise among the youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been curbs on outdoor activities to regulate and contain the outbreak. This has led to signs of irritability, erratic sleep, appetite problems, and weight gain among youths.
Dr Sandeep Vohra, senior consultant, mental health and psychiatry, says that Out Patient Department (OPD) consultations for young adults have doubled for social media addiction, anxiety, depression, and inability to concentrate in their studies.
Moreover, parents are advised to engage with their children, talk to them and observe if any behavioural changes are being exhibited.
Remote learning with regards to increasing usage of the internet
To come to this conclusion, doctors compared the average number of related cases in 2021 with 2019 with the corresponding figures.
Sadly, when it comes to learning, remote learning serves to be the only means to gain access to education during this pandemic which has increased the use of the internet.
Moreover, this sedentary lifestyle has led to weight gain and appetite problems due to a lack of physical activities. Not only these but behavioural changes have also been observed in college-going students.
Thus, these factors contribute to feelings of agitation and helplessness among young adults.
Mental health issues must be addressed by parents and teachers early
The doctors also highlight the important roles of certain hormones such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin which get released during physical activities, keeping one happy and composed.
They also stressed that the mental health issues of young adults should be addressed by parents and guardians at the earliest.
