GUEST BLOG: The following article was written by Isabella Lovett, freelance writer on health and wellness.

Anxiety and COVID-19

The number of adults who struggle with anxiety rose significantly when the COVID-19 began to gain attention in the public eye.  The shelter in place orders that were imposed across the country led to additional stress regarding finances, relationships, the future and more.

For many of the 2.2 million adults who have OCD the pandemic heightened their already tense concerns surrounding contamination and perfectionism. Some of the specific routines and patterns these individuals use to bring a sense of order and calm to their lives were no longer able to be implemented. Life became a little more challenging for everyone, and for the OCD sufferer, home confinement created some unique challenges.

If someone you love has OCD, how can you help make this period of time a little more bearable?

Encourage Them To Stick To A Predetermined Cleaning Schedule

If your loved one fears contamination, encourage them to stick to a predetermined cleaning plan rather than wash their hands and clean surfaces continually throughout the day. So long as they are living with other people who are not infected with the virus, once-a-day disinfection and hand washing after being outside, before eating, and before and after going to the bathroom will be sufficient. If someone in the home has had COVID-19 or is currently confined to one part of the home, specialist cleaning for the coronavirus can be considered to appease someone with OCD who is worried that germs may persist on surfaces that others are continuing to use.

Rely On Telemedicine

Telemedicine and teletherapy are proving to be valuable aids during this time of home confinement. If your loved one already has a therapist, inquire about the possibility of a video therapy session to soothe thoughts and intrusions involving perfectionism, fear of infecting others, and the like. The therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). They may ask your loved one to use a journal to list down small behaviors, which, when modified, can have a big effect on the way they feel and think about the current situation.

Aim To Reduce Internet Use And Consumption

If your loved one is consistently reading the news and refreshing their COVID-19 information pages online, then their anxiety can be consistently high throughout the day. As a family member, friend, or spouse of someone with OCD, you can do your share by encouraging them to spend less time on the internet and more time with you. Going for a walk in the great outdoors can ease stress and anxiety, as can taking part in activities that are mindful - including yoga, meditation and art creation. If you can join your loved one in getting lost in ‘the present moment’, then you will make it far easier to temporarily let go of stress and tension. Any number of activities that refocus attention away from the coronavirus will prove helpful.

The COVID19 pandemic has taken society by surprise, forcing most of us to drastically alter how we live. This has including adopting new routines and being on extra cautious about cleanliness in order to avoid spreading the disease.

For people with OCD adopting to new routines, and dealing with fears of contamination, can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, families and friends can be of great help. The support, time, and encouragement they offer go a long way to reducing stress and helping the individual grow from the challenges he or she currently face.