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Due to this covid-19 a kind of fear is developed in my father. He washes his hands many times and take a long bath. Clean every thing he touches and afraid to touch everything and even family members. He also afraid to go office and stay away with colleagues and expect them to follow what he does even don't drink water from office RO. Tell single thing to each and every member many times. His sleep pattern is also disturbed. He suffered from negative thoughts, phobia and depression in past also.
Kindly provide a genuine advice.
Answers (7)
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Hi
Your dad does not have a big problem. Your dad is having anxiety triggered Obsessive Compulsive handwashing. It is due to over empowered and news overflow about corona virus and its covid 19 disease that disturbed entire world and news about suffocating death of the patients. Over again and again watching and hearing and thinking about these news makes even healthy individual to be anxious and obtain OCD. I think he is effected in this way. He will be fine after sometime. With the help of professional psychologists, he will be out bit more faster. All the best
Next Steps
You can consult a psychologist for view Behavioral practices
Health Tips
Let him not watch more news about corona and even other diseases also. let him not access to any news pertaining to covid 19 through mobile or fb or WhatsApp. This should be followed in immediate manner.
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Hi..it is quite possible that his symptoms have aggravated in this period due to the stress of lockdown..if he has had issues in the past, my advice would be to seek professional help from a Psychiatrist as soon as possible. You would not want these symptoms to elevate further.
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Seek professional help from a Psychiatrist near you.
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Ur father has been suffering with Corona Anxiety. Mentioned Symptoms are common in Health Anxiety and Health OCD. He will be alright with Professional help
Next Steps
Consult with Psychologist
Health Tips
1) Practice Relaxation techniques 2) Positive thinking 3) Stop to watch or discuss Corona related negative news.
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Given these uncertain times and the fear attached with it, it naturally unlocks a desire within us for control. There are so many things outside his control right now which is making him feel powerless and scared. So he is doing more of the things that he can control like washing hands, bathing more, etc. Though it's important to maintain all of these guidelines, but if this is getting excessive and unreasonable and given his past history of phobia and depression as you mentioned, I would suggest a psychiatric and a psychological consult both to rule out other concerns.
Next Steps
Be empathetic with him. Understand that this need for him to get into these activities is coming from the fear of him or his loved ones getting the virus and feeling powerless. Validate his fear and have a conversation around what are the different feelings he's going through.
Health Tips
Be empathetic, acknowledge his feelings and discuss about the need for medical consultation explaining how these activities may be temporary solutions to the anxiety and fear that he's feeling, making him feel exhausted. For long term solutions, consulting a Psychiatrist and a Clinical Psychologist would be of help.
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Dr. Mustafa Mun (PhD)
Clinical Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Mumbai
Hello ,
What your father is experiencing is a type of OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
He is also suffering from a Phobia of Germs which may harm him .
From what you’ve described it seems that he not just needs counselling but needs medication as well from a psychiatrist.
If you can secure an online appointment and have a word with a psychiatrist on Practo and discuss this issue I am sure you’ll be benefitted with the medication for your father.
Plus on a personal note he needs to calm his mind not just with medication but a bit of Meditation as well.
Try the online Yoga Classes I am sure it will benefit him.
Next Steps
Consult a Psychiatrist immediately for medication.
Health Tips
Meditation
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Ms. Kavita Sharma (PhD)
Counselling Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Udaipur
Thank you for sharing your concern! I appreciate that you are taking guidance from professionals to help your Father! What your father is going through are quite natural in this current extraordinary situation of world, It's a anxiety which has leadd to OCD. I suggest you to consult with Psychiatrist or Psychologist to help him best.
Next Steps
Consult with Psychiatrist or Psychologist.
Health Tips
See that, he is not watching repetitive news for a same day.
Try to divert his mind.
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Ms. Hema Sampath
Counselling Psychologist
18 yrs exp
Bangalore
As you have mentioned, what was already as a basic behavior, is been triggered by Covid...
As a mandatory,
Let him continue to maintain the social distancing,
Washing or sanitizing his hands etc,
Waring mask etc.,
At the same time, I would you all as his family members, be kind and understanding about his behavior..
He needs to fight with his fear by talking to some one, who his from. A medical field and from whom he can believe and accept situation of the entire world..
Next Steps
It would be better if he could talk to a therapist by himself to feel more confident and to have a better clarity and acceptance..
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