Anxiety, depression and cognitive difficulties, the consequences of isolation for young people during the pandemic

Lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic have left psychological scars on many young people. Even five years later, many are suffering from the consequences.

Lena is 21 years old today. She is reluctant to talk about the isolation during the pandemic and will not remember those times, like many others.

Lena is now studying and has always wanted to be a teacher. But not anymore, she says in an interview with DW. She was a good student and school was a pleasure for her – before the pandemic.

 "Corona completely stole our lives," says Lena angrily, "we couldn't see our friends anymore, everyone was just sitting around with their phones in their hands."

 Instead of playing volleyball at the club like before, she was left with "endless consumption of TV series," she says, adding: "There were digital lessons, but it was very stressful. School is not just about studying. No one cared about us!

 "We were completely lost!" Meanwhile, that difficult phase of the pandemic is over. But some of her generation from then on have become "a little strange or difficult to communicate with," she says.

Isolation, loneliness and helplessness

Most young people experienced similar blockages and isolations as Lena. This is also confirmed by long-term studies. Many young people complained that their concerns were not taken into account: “We were not seen, we were not heard. Our interests, rights and needs were treated as secondary when making difficult decisions,” summarizes the reactions of young people, Sabine Andresen, president of the Alliance for Child Protection.

"This is about the feeling of loneliness, of helplessness, it's about unexpected experiences, about completely leaving normal everyday life. I don't know at all what's happening and what my future will look like. While planning for the future is extremely important even for young people," Andersen emphasizes.

Anxiety, depression and cognitive difficulties

Darina Falbová conducted a study among Slovak adolescents on the most common long-term symptoms of isolation. School closures, contact restrictions and isolation have significantly contributed to the increase in mental health problems among young people, said an assistant professor at the Department of Anthropology at Comenius University in Bratislava.

Among the "most common long-term symptoms" are memory loss, concentration problems, difficulty solving problems and finding the right words. All of these symptoms are significantly more common in women, the expert points out. "Physical symptoms, such as decreased physical performance and headaches, are also common," Darina Falbová told DW.

Other studies show that many young people still suffer from eating disorders, anxiety and depression five years after closure.

Lifestyle changes associated with lockdown – more screen time, less physical activity and sleep problems – are also negatively impacting mental and physical health. Women have also reported menstrual cycle irregularities, which may be linked to stress and hormonal changes following COVID-19, Falbová adds.

An additional burden for those already affected by stress

Mental health problems are already prevalent in this age group. Pressure at school, social media, fears of climate change and economic uncertainty have led to rising rates of depression and anxiety among young people.

However, the pandemic has further exacerbated existing disorders and brought new symptoms. Studies have shown that anxiety, depression and other difficulties among young people have increased significantly, the Slovak anthropologist points out.

During and after the pandemic, the concerns and problems of young people were often not taken as seriously. Attention has been less focused on young people, while the effects on their mental health, education and long-term development have been neglected, emphasizes Falbová, the lead author of the study.

What lessons can we learn for the next pandemic?

The scientific, social, and political evaluation of the pandemic measures is not yet fully complete. But from today's perspective, some lockdown measures were excessive.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that, while protecting public health is essential, the long-term consequences for the younger generation have often been overlooked. One of the most important lessons is that mental health should be as important as physical health," Falbová emphasizes.

If a new pandemic occurs, society and politicians should have a more balanced and better thought-out approach towards children and young people, says Falbová.

 "In future health crises, policymakers must find ways to enable safe social contact – whether through outdoor activities, self-help groups or carefully designed community programs."/DW