During this years lock-down, I published an article in Doorstep news.

With some other teenagers we discuss how being in quarantine could be affecting the mental wellbeing of teens.

Quarantine is disrupting the daily lives of everyone across the globe…

…and teenagers are adjusting to a shift in their educational, social and personal lives.

Since Covid-19 arrived in the UK in March 2020 the country went into national ‘lock down’. Schools were shut down globally. The school year abruptly came to an end with exams and proms being cancelled and schoolwork along with socialising has ground to halt!

Social distancing is a necessary measure for society, but with no planned end in sight. Among my peers, I think there is a general low mood.

Teens thrive on social connections, and, although social media is definitely playing its part in filling in the gaps, it isn’t the same as meeting up with friends, or playing team sports.

The effects of social distancing and loneliness can be damaging to many teen’s mental health.

In an article from the Insider, a New York-based psychiatrist, Zlatin Ivanov, MD discusses the importance of human interaction. He says, “All our systems, including: social, psychological and biological, have developed around social groups and interaction with one another. Social isolation in most cases would bring the negative effect of loneliness, anxiety and sometimes depression.” In addition, Ivanov says the effects of isolation get worse with time.

“The longer the period of isolation, the more likely it becomes for the individual to show signs of anxiety, loneliness, and depression and other mental afflictions,” he says.

26 March 2020, The Guardian stated that “Six in ten people in the UK have felt anxious about the coronavirus”.

They discuss the negative impacts that quarantine and self-isolation have on people’s mental wellbeing. The World Health Organization has acknowledged that the and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news if it causes feelings of anxiety or distress.

In February, an article was published in the Lancet. It stated that all quantitative studies only surveyed those who had been quarantined and generally reported the most common symptoms being psychological distress and disorder. Studies reported that other general psychological symptoms included: emotional disturbance, depression, stress, low mood and irritability. In addition, post-traumatic stress symptoms included: anger and emotional exhaustion. The review stated that, “low mood and irritability stand out as having high prevalence.”

In the last 5 weeks I’ve noticed my own anxiety rising...

Like a lot of students, I didn’t take my GCSE exams, so I’m waiting for my predicted school grades. I am missing my friends and it’s worrying to think about everyone who is at risk of getting Covid-19, including my grandparents.

I’ve been finding staying positive challenging. Some days it’s hard to get out of bed. I feel miserable all day and prefer to watch countless Disney films.

But on better days, I have been much more productive. I’ve been finding it easier to wake up early, complete my morning workout routines, do school work and texting my friends!

So in our current pandemic situation, in light of this new research and also based on personal experience, I thought it would be a good idea to reach out to others, to find out how they are also feeling during this uncertain time. I asked a group of 15/16 year olds I know if they have found the lockdown challenging, if they have any concerns and what they’ve been doing to pass the time.

Bobbie: “The challenge is for me is trying to stay in doors and keep myself busy”

I’ve created my own timetable to follow. In the morning I have been doing a daily workout by Joe Wickes which makes me feel much more productive. I have also been completing my coursework for my A levels and attempting to learn some more complicated songs on my keyboard.

Although I do consider myself to be a sociable person, the lockdown isn’t too bad. I am still keeping active and have done a few arts and crafts. Being in quarantine has also given me time to do more, like sort out some of my old paperwork and clean my room.

I’m not too worried about the coronavirus. I appreciate that the lockdown is going to help contain it. I was worried when I first heard about it being in my local town, but I know that I have a good immune system and will hopefully be alright. It has been challenging not going to the beach or going on holiday though!

Bobbie: “The challenge is for me is trying to stay in doors and keep myself busy”

To pass time I’ve been keeping up with school work so I’m ready for when we go back. I have also been doing a lot of exercise to keep fit because I’m always indoors.

The one thing I’ve found difficult is not being able to see friends and family. It’s been 7 weeks for me and I find that staying in doors and keeping myself busy is very challenging!

I have no concerns about the coronavirus. I only hope everyone stays safe and we work together as a country.

Olivia: “I miss not being able to see my friends”

I’ve been painting, participating in family activities like cooking food and baking. I’ve also occasionally been doing chores like ironing and re-decorating the house.

The thing I’ve found most difficult about being in quarantine is not being able to see my friends. Lately, I’ve been feeling very frustrated. I have ADHD I’m finding social distancing and being in quarantine extremely difficult! I hate being cooped up at home and not knowing how long we’ll have to remain in quarantine makes it even worse for me. Lately I’ve just felt like I was going to lose my temper, which I’ve done multiple times towards my mum and dad who weren’t best pleased.

I’m concerned about the amount of lives Covid-19 has taken. The increasing deaths and number of cases makes me think that this disease hasn’t even reached its peak yet.

However, after quarantine, there will be the struggle of the economy trying to build itself backup again with everyone absent from work, and meeting up in smaller groups than before. After this pandemic I don’t think things will be the same. There will be limited things that will be allowed to do.

Ben: “I have found the lack of freedom challenging”

I have been doing school work, and been going on walks everyday as my 1 exercise a day.

Not seeing my friends has been difficult as we would see each other everyday at school and on most weekends. I’ve found the lack of freedom very challenging!

My concerns are that people are not taking it seriously enough or not abiding by the rules set by the Government. More vulnerable people could get sick with the virus, and then in turn, the lockdown could be extended.

Ellie: “Not seeing people is difficult as I rely on my friends to keep me sane”

To pass the time I have been on my phone or doing my makeup. I’ve been trying different makeup looks as well as watching TikTok videos.

I have found not talking or seeing many people the most difficult as I rely on my friends to keep me sane.

I am concerned about catching the Coronavirus in case I give it to my mum, she’s in the high-risk category. I’m worried about her getting it.

James: “The fact that we cannot see friends and family is tough for everyone”

I try to keep myself occupied, whether it’s watching Netflix or going for a walk/run.

Considering I’ve got all of this time on my hands, I should perhaps learn a new skill that could be useful in the future.

I’m not concerned about my health for the coronavirus because apparently it isn’t that bad for younger people. However, I am concerned for the older people that could have it and anyone else in the “high risk” category.

I believe that it was the right decision to close schools. Although, the thought of not seeing my friends was quite scary. But I do understand why they closed them as the virus is causing so much harm to everyone.

The fact that we can not see friends and family is tough for everyone. I’m very thankful for video calling!

Overall..

After reading the responses I received from my friends it definitely made me feel less alone in the pandemic. We are all in the same storm and we have to work together to ride it out.

The articles I read state that consequences of social distancing and isolation can result in a range of similar symptoms, including: anxiety, stress, irritability and having a low mood. The evidence from my interviews proves that teenagers can definitely be feeling anxious and distressed during quarantine.

The teenagers that I interviewed are concerned about the health of their family members who may be at high risk. They are also struggling to stay occupied as there’s a lot of uncertainty with how long we will be in lockdown for. One of my friends describes how hard it is having ADHD and how it’s hard for her to regulate her emotions and stay upbeat.

Although these teenagers are finding the change in lifestyle challenging – like me, they have been finding ways to keep themselves occupied during the lockdown.

You can also find my article here: https://doorstepnews.wixsite.com/website/post/teens-in-lockdown

Let me know your thoughts and tell me in the comments below how you felt about being in lockdown…