Surviving COVID 19: Advice for people with epilepsy and their families
In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak in China of a new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated that there was a high risk of COVID-19 spreading to other countries around the world. In March 2020, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic.
Our responses to the COVID-19 pandemic at an individual level will vary based on our experience of coping with health issues and other life problems generally. For some individuals and their families, they may develop stress due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and the risk of being infected. Stress reactions can include low or depressed mood, anxiety, frustration, irritability, anger and social isolation.