HYDERABAD: Along with an increase in cases of overall phobias, several cases of Covid phobia are being reported in the city.
Affecting almost all age groups and majorly affecting the elderly who have not been allowed to venture out, it has gripped some in such a way that they have not ventured out ever since the first lockdown.
The psychiatry departments in various government hospitals and private hospitals together are seeing at least 10-15 cases per day, estimate experts.
Covid phobia is the fear of the Covid-19 disease and its related complications including black fungus, post-Covid strokes and breathlessness.
For people who have experienced Covid and the long periods of isolation and hospitalisation, the fear might be much higher.
“Also, people who had to run around for beds and oxygen have been deeply traumatised by the experience leading to a phobia of the disease.
Earlier, we used to see such post traumatic trust disorder (PTTD) cases in rape victims and people who have survived tsunamis, earthquakes and other such natural disasters.
However, now we are seeing many such cases of Covid patients and their family members,” said Dr Ajay Kumar Joopaka, assistant professor (psychiatry), Gandhi Hospital.
In several such instances reported at Institute of Mental Health, Erragada and that in private centres, people have been holed up in their houses for over one-and-a-half year now and remain gripped by Covid phobia.
Also, general phobias, be that of heights, water or deaths have also flared up in patients.
“We are seeing 1 or 2 cases daily.
They are avoiding most parts of their daily life and are not stepping out at all.
Elderly family members not allowing them to step out has instilled a deep fear in them.
These patients can come out with some treatment and therapeutic exercises like yoga,” said Dr Uma Shankar, superintendent, Institute of Mental Health.