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 l
ife, 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.