New data shows thousands of Americans are living with depression and anxiety, and many mental health professionals agree the increase is likely linked to the pandemic.
Over the past two years, some said they've seen more and more new patients reaching out for help.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 50% of people 18 to 29 who live alone have symptoms of anxiety and depression. The same goes for people 30 to 44.
Quarantine. Social distance. Don't gather in large groups.
For two years we've had advice from doctors to keep us safe from COVID-19, like quarantining, maintaining social distance, and not gathering in large groups
But the lack of social interaction can be draining.
"Terrible. I feel really really terrible," said David F. Walker, a writer who lives in northeast Portland. "It seems like there’s all these false hopes."
He said he used to travel to go to conventions and shows, saying, "collectively I spend about 2 months out of every year, collectively on the road out of town around hundreds if not thousands of other people at conventions. And so I would say probably 95 to 99% of my actual interaction, personal interactions have been gone."
Not only that, his daily life has completely changed as well. Even going to get coffee can be a hard decision.
"Every interaction you have is potentially you getting infected," Walker said. "Especially if you’ve got people in your life like older folks or people who are immuno-compromised, you don’t want to get them sick just because you wanted your ice vanilla latte."
Mental health professionals are seeing the same struggles.
"My practice is probably seeing anywhere, 35 to 40% increase of people coming in, specifically around the pandemic," said John Wolfe, licensed clinical social worker with Horizon Counseling Services, LLC. "It’s unending, seemingly so."
Wolfe said if you are one of those people feeling depressed, remember to follow a simple acronym: "RED."
"R for rest, and of course rest includes you’re sleeping," Wolfe explained, "E is exercise. And so, what we suggest is a moderate level of exercise. Diet. The last one, the D is for diet. Watch those calories and carbs. But all in all, with those things in mind, you also want to be optimistic."
For more on ways to cope during this time, Wolfe offers this advice:
For more on Walker's experience, watch here: