It has been over five years since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, but for two of those years Australia was in a state of emergency and the world seemed to pause. People lost jobs, friends and family got sick, schooling moved online, and stress for many was at an all-time high. Unsurprisingly, it took its toll on the public’s mental health.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has had a lasting effect on our lives. Since COVID restrictions lifted, therapists in Melbourne have recognised a surge of reported mental health issues, with anxiety at the top of the list.

The Lasting Mental Effects of COVID

The lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 led to a drastic increase of reported mental health disorders and calls to support services like Lifeline, Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue. Even though the pandemic restrictions have ended, and life has returned to normal, people are still experiencing anxiety. Feelings of loneliness linger and the struggle to reconnect socially and focus on work or study continues.

In a recent study, of 80 participants infected with COVID in 2020, 65% reported anxiety two years later. This is way above the national prevalence in 2021 of 17%. Though we are still learning about the effects of ‘Long COVID, a commonly reported symptom is anxiety, along with depression, memory loss and insomnia.

Negative mental health outcomes of the COVID lockdown seems to run high amongst those in Melbourne, likely due to having the most days of lockdown in the world – 262 days. The struggle to cope with anxiety may be associated with ‘pandemic’ or ‘lockdown fatigue.’

Solutions to Reducing Hospital Re-admissions

Another group of people in Melbourne that were more at risk for post-COVID anxiety were those with pre-existing psychiatric health conditions. But Clarity Health Care seeks to stop the cycle of hospital readmissions.

The Optimal Health Program (OHP) takes an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to mental health care, focusing on individual strength and hope. All trained mental health professionals are in one place – from clinical psychologists to occupational therapists. Already with much reported success, OHP can be conducted individually and through couples counselling.

Managing Anxiety Post-COVID

For Individuals

Unmanaged anxiety can lead to a lot of difficulties in daily life. Constant worry and panic can negatively affect relationships, physical health, and quality of life and wellbeing. It can also lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol consumption.

Specialist anxiety psychologists in Melbourne have seen an uptake in counselling clients – and that’s a good thing. People are seeking help. Psychologists can help individuals manage their overwhelm, make them feel heard, and give support and strategies to help them manage challenges more easily.

For Couples

Managing anxiety is important to the health of your relationship – and not just in a philosophical way. The amygdala in the brain is responsible for anxiety processing, which is also involved in interpersonal processing in romantic relationships. According to neurobiology, anxiety can be heightened in a relationship and relationships can heighten anxiety.

If you and your partner are experiencing enmeshment, self-esteem problems, tiptoeing and conflict avoidance or passive-aggressive behaviour, it may be time to seek a couple’s therapist. By connecting with psychologists Melbourne couples can employ evidence-based interventions, to help manage the feeling of spiraling in your relationship and start moving towards a caring, safe, and patient environment.