That's because these addictions can harm lung function and weaken the immune system, causing chronic conditions such as heart disease and lung disease, which increase the risk of serious complications from COVID-19,вЂќ Dr Jan said. People with substance use disorders, notably those addicted to tobacco or opioids, are likely to have worse outcomes if they get COVID-19. In reality, using these substances can worsen anxiety and depression. вЂњSome people have increased their use of drugs, thinking that can help them cope with their fears about the pandemic. He said that surveys show a major increase in the number of people who report symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia during the pandemic, compared with surveys before the pandemic. And mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen,вЂќ Dr Jan told Rising Kashmir.

вЂњDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. India, like other countries, implemented a nationwide lockdown to contain and curb the transmission of the virus. Apart from the evident physical symptoms in infected cases, it has caused serious damage to public mental health. Pertinent to mention that Covid-19 has caused significant distress around the globe.

People are again bound to feel unsafe, he said. The sense of worry is all- whether they are vaccinated or not.

T he hyped media coverage has led to a pattern of increased worry in everyone which also is creating uncertainty and anxiety in people. This itself is a precursor for many mental health issues,вЂќ he said. But when hope is affected, it changes the scenario from having an optimistic outlook to being pessimistic. вЂњHope is a strong component in mental health, when we hope and start believing in it, we automatically try creating something better. He said that this new variant has first of all affected the hope of people, as it has caused more worry in regard to its increased transmissibility. All professionals need to be prepared for the worsening of psychiatric co-morbidities. вЂњThe exact impact on mental health will unfold in coming times. People were trying to create and adjust according to the вЂcovid being around lifestyleвЂ™ but now again they are on square one,вЂќ said Dr Yasir Hassan Rather, Assistant Professor at Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar.Дr Rather said that as Omicron is looming, increased worry and its impact on different spheres of life is expected. It's adding to the fatigue level of people. This variant is one more jolt to the existing pool of mental health burden people are going through. вЂњWe are again heading towards an unpredictable situation. Among them, there is a huge number of people with anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD and insomnia. Since, tele - consultation has been started, Dr Umar Jan, Consultant Neuropsychiatry said that he received 100-150 telephone calls and thousands of SMS per day with different Psychiatric problems from various districts of the Kashmir valley. ДЄccording to the top psychiatrists of the valley, as the restrictions are again being imposed, it's again hitting the so-called normal that we tried to create in covid times. Though omicron variant of COVID-19 is claimed to have less severity among patients, the experts believe that this variant is one more jolt to the existing pool of mental health burden people are going through in Kashmir.

Omicron insomnia