Anxiety, OCD, and panic-buying in the age of COVID-19

For individuals already struggling with anxiety or other mental health illness, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the COVID-19 pandemic, is an added stressor.

Dr. Peggy Richter, head of Sunnybrook’s Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, highlights some strategies to help manage mental health during the pandemic for healthing.ca.

Dr. Richter recommends keeping a routine, continuing with treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, exercise, and using technology to stay connected with loved ones.

If it is difficult for individuals to manage their mental health and they’re feeling distressed, it is also important to reach out to healthcare professionals.

“If you need help, get it,” says Dr. Richter, who adds many experts are offering help by phone and video.

Panic-buying

Dr. Richter also discussed the psychology of panic-buying with The Toronto Star as news stories of empty grocery store shelves as Canadians stocking up on goods, have garnered headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Richter explains the anxiety that may lead to panic-buying during these uncertain times is “entirely normal” given the changes to everyday life that people are having to adjust to. Consuming daily news updates can impact how we are feeling. Dr. Richter strongly recommends checking news no more than a few times daily.

“For some of us it’s constant,” says Dr. Richter. “Unless we limit our access to online news feeds.”

Dr. Richter also explains that panic purchasing is very different from hoarding, which is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“A hoarding disorder is a distinct psychiatric condition that’s been formally recognized since 2013. Although people with hoarding disorders may accumulate excessive stuff, they tend to have more difficulty around discarding it, so it’s a very different kind of problem,” explains Dr. Richter.

Read the full articles:

• Toronto Star – How do I know if I’m a hoarder? 
• Healthing.com – Mental health: Tips on keeping it together during COVID-19 

For more resources and information about COVID-19 from Sunnybrook experts read our blog.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or in severe emotional distress, please call 911 or visit your local emergency department.

If you feel like you are in crisis or need somebody to talk to, community resources are here to help.

Crisis Services Canada

• 24-hour, toll-free 1-833-456-4566
• Text: 45645 (4 p.m. – midnight ET)