The Correlation Between the Pandemic and Depression

It seems like every day there’s a new study about skyrocketing rates of depression as the pandemic rages on. Researchers even found a correlation between spikes in symptoms and spikes in weekly COVID-19 cases. If you’re one of the people feeling depressed, you’re not alone. More than that, you’re not to blame. However, everyone is responsible for their own healing. Before we can heal, we have to understand how we got here. 

Let’s talk about the correlation between the COVID-19 and depression.

The Kindling Effect

Many people with depression report a stressful (and sometimes even traumatic) event that sparked their first depressive episode. Common events include…

• The death of a loved one

• Broken relationships because of divorce, feuding, or infidelity

• Loss of income, work, and/or one’s home

• Living in a chaotic or abusive home environment

• Losing a long-term friendship

• Being in an emotionally abusive relationship

• Moving homes and/or experiencing social isolation

• Experiencing serious trauma such as abuse, neglect, or sexual violation

• Feeling controlled by outside sources and developing “learned helplessness”

After their first depressive episode, some people experience more stressful events that come up “spontaneously” and worsen their depression. Scientists theorize that depressive changes in brain chemistry cause people to inadvertently seek out these events, or “kindle” them the way one kindles a flame into a blazing fire.

How does this relate to the pandemic? Two words: social isolation.

Students and office workers went from getting 8+ hours of social time to 8+ hours of solo screen time. Restaurant workers went from the rush of happy hour to filling faceless online orders from the kitchen. Artists went from performing in front of crowds to performing for their cell phone camera.

Isolation alone—without considering the collateral damage that often comes with it—is enough to onset depression.

Learned Helplessness

One of the biggest factors that can affect a person’s confidence is the level of control they think they have. (Key word: think.) We often do not cause stressful, life-changing events ourselves. They occur out of the blue, and that’s what makes them so frustrating—there’s no way to plan for them.

This turns a lot of people onto the mentality of “learned helplessness.” Feeling like they have no control over the situation, they give into it. Opportunities to get out of their situation aren’t compelling because they believe they don’t have the power to take them. They believe they aren’t real opportunities for change. 

After living through a pandemic where the pressure is put on the individual to protect themselves, people may feel hopeless that the numbers are simply working against them. It doesn’t matter how often they wear a mask, social distance, or isolate when sick—there will always be people who don’t. Therefore, the pandemic will never end. Feeling like you have no control over the betterment of your situation can cause you to give up altogether: learned helplessness. 

Fighting Back Against The Kindling Effect and Learned Helplessness

Social Support

If social isolation causes depression, then social support can help cure it. This concept is exactly what it sounds like—people who have and make use of their network of friends, family, and acquaintances are more likely to recover from depression. 

To the depressed mind, life’s smallest road bumps can feel like mountains. So lean on friends and family to help you troubleshoot small annoyances whenever they feel big! And don’t underestimate the power of venting when you have a lot to say.

Adjusting Thinking Patterns Through Therapy

Therapy is a great way to manage and reflect on the way you think. With a therapist like myself, you can start analyzing and challenging thoughts that often lead to feelings of helplessness. Together, we can identify areas in your life where you do still have control. (Hint: there’s more than you think.)

Ready to leave depression (and hopefully soon, the pandemic) behind you? Contact my office today to start your mental health journey with depression therapy.