ANALYSIS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS CAUSED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND HOW TO HANDLE SUCH EFFECTS

Abstract

Pandemic COVID-19 has resulted psychological effects for some population. The aim of this paper to analyze the psychological effect caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and how to manage its effects. Data was collected from journal and articles, reports from community groups, and online news sites. Data was then analyzed using content and comparative analysis. The results show that the coronavirus pandemic has given psychological effects to the public health which resulted in various complaints found across different age groups; commonly found feeling of fear, anxiety, worry, and feeling threatened in various respondents; and feeling of difficult to focus on doing academic tasks for children and teenagers. The risk factor on psychological effects caused by COVID-19 are not only due to the body’s immunity system that responds to the coronavirus, but also due to social limitations, worriedness over possibility of receiving the virus, economic recession due to COVID-19, growing stigma in the public conscience, and psychological effects from the pain felt by COVID-19 patients which has only worsened these conditions. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the rate of psychological effects, hasten recovery, and increase mental well-being. Psychological risks can be managed through self-healing methods such as applying mindfulness, guided imagery, self-talk, expressive writing; engaging in spiritual approaches; always be mindful in filtering news and information regarding COVID-19; always applying clean and healthy life behaviors; doing proper exercise; constantly think positively; staying connected towards social support; keep being productive and mindful; stopping stigmas; and seeking for professional help. Besides analyzing the psychological effects, this article also states how to maintain mental-wellbeing through positive psychological approach.