Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, leading Odisha psychiatrist Dr Amrit Pattojoshi, president of the Indian Psychiatrist Society, Odisha Chapter, has come up with a 12-point charter of advice for people while staying indoors during the lockdown period.
— Accept and admit that you are passing through a critical situation. If you don’t accept, you will be a victim of mental stress.
— Have courage and faith. Repose trust in the administration which is taking all possible measures to contain the spread of the virus.
— Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It is a feeling of fear or apprehension about what is to come. If your feelings of anxiety last longer and interfere with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder. To overcome this, you have to reassure yourself through interaction with the people.
— Stay away from mutual misunderstanding and work together to boost your confidence.
— As people are advised to stay indoors during the lockdown period to check spread of the virus, they should segregate personal/office work, household duty and social relationship with proper time management.
— The situation warrants self-sacrifice to overcome future obstacles.
— Never be under the impression that you are the only victim. Instead, believe that we all are in the same boat.
— Try to maintain mutual respect among family members.
— Avoid drugs to stay away from false assurance.
— Have compassion towards the coronavirus patient and the family suspected to have contracted the virus and never treat them as culprits.
— Respect each health worker and never suspect them. Always remember that if you are a victim tomorrow, the health workers will be like your God.
— Prepare a daily routine for yourself for personal hygiene like physical exercise, yoga, meditation and reading and rest.
