Sleep behavior after COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily life a much. Some people are now suffering from psychiatric symptoms. The article below mentions sleep disorder relevant the pandemic.

The Conversation: Want to sleep like a baby during the coronavirus crisis? Here are 10 ways to do it

I have described about good sleep in this blog recurrently. From my knowledge and experience as a psychiatrist, I agree with the opinion written in this article above.

However, I do not believe COVID-19 pandemic causes us serious insomnia. Patients I meet at clinic seldom complain insomnia, unless specific situations. Rather, people take more sleeping time because of reduced work. Japanese are chronically lacking enough sleep. Perhaps after the COVID-19 pandemic, some people become healthier.

On the other hand, longitudinal effect of lockdown will be serious. Lack of exercise, financial crisis, reduced social communication, and loss of entertainment are each of risk for mental health. We should be aware of them.

Suicide dropped in this April in Japan, COVID-19 releted?

Discussing COVID-19, we psychiatrists often refer to another lethal issue: suicide.

Suicide is one of the worst cause of death. We have to prevent suicide at 100% rate ideally.

Specialists of psychiatry suggest there are three patterns about COVID-19 related suicide. First, people who took COVID-19, or families with COVID-19 patients may become desperate to commit suicide. Second, medical practitioners as well as workers responsible for management of infection are overworking to become burnout. They may be blamed when failed to manage it. And the third is the risk of financial crisis relevant lockdown. It is proven that crippled economy brings many suicides.

The last is most frequently discussed in Japan. The reason why the Japan government is hesitating to set strict policy against spreading COVID-19 is the fear of economical breakdown. 

The Japan Times: COVID-19 puts the squeeze on Japan's most vulnerable

In reality, suicide rate in Japan was significantly decreased in this April. It was declined by 20% from the previous year. In every year, Japan faces many suicide in April because the fiscal year begins in April in Japan. This year, many workers have to be alone at home. It might lead to reduced stress level of interpersonal communication, according to the media.

It is unsure what is happening. First of all, suicide statistics is not so trustworthy than other official statistics. Many Japanese hate to report their relative's suicide. Especially in this year, police officers might have difficulty to take time for adequate investigation of unexpected death.

Also, victims of suicide is always vulnerable people. A part of them might be dead relevant to COVID-19.

In contrast, it is possible that many people became hypomanic because of this serious situation. It is well known that immediately after a disaster depressive people get recovered temporarily. It is explainable with acute release of adrenergic hormones. In this case, a certain period passes, people's mental health will deteriorate.

Above all, the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and suicide should be deliberately examined for a longitudinal view.

Sharing issue between COVID-19 and forensic mental health

A couple of months has passed since the novel corona virus became pandemic. Many cities were forced to be locked down, and some are to be reopened albeit with much anxiety.

Very recently, I heard some cases of discrimination against COVID-19 relevant people. It is not limited to infected people, but also against medical practitioners engaging in patients.

It is shameful to disrespect or avoid medical staffs. But I have to be somewhat sympathetic with the fear of  such poor people who are worrying about being infected.

Interestingly, their fear is not rational. I mean that doctors in charge of caring patients with COVID-19 are safer than other physicians in terms of the risk for transmitting virus. They wear personal precautionary equipments completely when connecting patients. Also, they are strictly watched by the team so that they never transfer the virus. On the other hand, physicians who are working at an ordinary outpatient clinic, including me, have many opportunities to touch patients potentially carrying the virus. They usually do not equip entire protecter. Since most patients are not aware of carrying the virus, they do not behave cautiously. Which is riskier do you think?

The structure of this issue is very similar to the forensic mental health. The other days, I was engaging in constructing forensic mental health wards in some regional hospitals. When I made an explanation about the plan of newly developed forensic mental health systems, many citizens were opposing to building new wards. They were afraid that dangerous people who had committed serious crimes for the reason of insanity would be in the ward. In reality, however, they did exist there! Newly developed wards were built to treat such patients with richer staffs and strict structure. Indeed, after the new scheme began, serious cases committed by mentally disordered patients seems to be decreasing, despite some disputes around it.

We are aware of overt risk. But, covert risks are often more serious. We should become aware of them with scientific view.

Mother’s love promote children’s gene?

The belief that good nurturing is essential for children is supported by several studies, while it is believed with instinct. In recent, the relationship between child development and nurturing attitude of the mother is deeply investigated.

The Star: Early love from mothers can lead to many positives later in life for kids

According to the researchers, experience in the extremely early childhood is very important. Children who was loved in this stage will be invulnerable to harsh circumstance in later age. Results of genetic studies and immunology are consistent with this idea shared by many people.

To be honest, I do not like this idea. Rather, I have to help patients who were abused in their childhood. They have failed to gain good immune systems, according to the latest studies. It is relieving that researchers suggest insufficient love can be compensated in later life. I will commit the recovery of mental health, as well as gene.

Tesla may be gone from California

Tesla is going to Texas or Nevada from California.

Financial Post.com: Amid lockdown dispute, Musk says he will move Tesla out of California

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, a huge American vehicle company, told via Twitter that he was planning to move the headquarter of the company from the current place to Texas or Nevada.

Tesla's factory is now crippled because of the lockdown order by Alameda County. The Mayor said to be collaborative with Tesla for safe restart of the factory. But Musk seems not to be affirmative to the policy.

I am not sure if Texas or Nevada is superior to California for Tesla. Anyway, if Tesla is withdrawn, California will face serious financial damage not only from decreased tax income but also employment provided by Tesla and relevant industry.

Business is merciless. Mayor will have a tough time in addition to addressing the corona pandemic.

TRPG materials available easily online

Being forced to stay home due to the corona virus pandemic, I have much time to read materials as well as play computer games.

I am fond of playing role playing game. Unfortunately, I have scarce opportunity to play table-talk role playing game in recent years because of limited time and people. Therefore, I only read rule books of TRPG system to imagine the situation of session.

DriveThruRPG, a famous online market of RPG materials offers frequently discount sales. Also, it often proposes some charity sales of mega-bundle. You can gain hundreds of materials, price of hundreds dollars, for only 20 USD. Many of the resources are provided with PDF format so you can access them easily. I got some interesting supplements through the sale.

In addition, several legendary materials such as Classic Dungeons and Dragons rulebooks are available on PDF. I also got them because I was too young to purchase them in time. It is very thankful to access them easily now.

Definite condition of the boss

If you have some subordinates, I recommend you to remember some simple things.

Every good bosses are;

- to entrust the work to the subordinate.

- to support the subordinate in a serious setting.

- to have a dream.

If your boss does always censor your work, blame you on your failure, or have no perspective in the future, I strong recommend you to change the workplace.

Fortunately, my boss adhere all the three things above. Therefore, he remains my boss.