1 in 5 citizens has been afraid of dying from COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the overall well-being of the population, who report experiencing insomnia, fatigue, and headaches. This is according to the latest survey by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) , conducted with more than three thousand people last February.

The survey reveals that many people are experiencing physical or mental distress due to the pandemic . 41.9% of respondents have had sleep problems , while more than half (51.9%) report feeling tired or lacking energy . Headaches appear to be a common ailment, affecting 38.7% of those surveyed, who also report symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.

Fear of dying from the virus remains prevalent among the population, especially in the 55-65 age group, although this feeling is less pronounced compared to the data from November 2020, the date of the previous survey. The percentage of people who expressed a great deal or quite a bit of fear has dropped from 58.4% in November to 23.4% currently.

Fear is also present in the possibility of losing a loved one to COVID-19, expressed as a strong feeling by 68.6% of the study participants. The percentage is even higher when it comes to concern about infecting those close to them, expressed by three out of four people.

More than a third have cried because of the pandemic

35.1% of citizens have cried because of the pandemic. This situation has caused worry for 79% and a lack of motivation or pleasure in engaging in activities. 21.5% feel listless, depressed, or hopeless; another 21.8% describe nervousness, anxiety, or significant agitation; and 14.2% say they feel unable to stop or control their worries.

Despite this concern, only 15% say they have had anxiety or panic attacks.

Those surveyed admit that the pandemic has also brought about changes in minors:

• 72.7% say that they have experienced mood swings.
• 78.6% report changes in lifestyle habits.
• 30.4% admit to having trouble sleeping.

Since the start of the pandemic, 6.4% of the population has sought psychological or psychiatric help, primarily for depressive or anxiety disorders. Psychotropic medications, such as anxiolytics, antidepressants, and sleep aids, have been prescribed to 5.8% of the population.

Anxiety and depression have been a common denominator for these people who manifest emotional distress, with a presence of 79.2% of the manifested mental pathologies.