THE psychiatry consultant of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) is looking at a possible increase in anxiety and depression cases.

In April this year, BGHMC Psychiatry Department recorded 325 consultations while in May, the cases doubled to 688.

Doctor Gwendolyn Cayad, psychiatry consultant of BGHMC, said it is known globally that because of the stress that comes with the pandemic, an increase in cases is expected.

“Numerous surveys have come up with results that there is a three-fold increase in anxiety and depression. Although it does not show from our records, we have been doing teleconsultation for April and May until now, and actually, our outpatient consults have gone down,” Cayad explained.

Cayad said the Psychiatry Department of BGHMC is conducting teleconsultations as response assistance to increase its face-to-face consultations.

Their services are limited for the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay areas, including other parts of the Cordillera, wherein there are no psychiatrists available.

Cayad suggested ways on how to maintain one's mental health, particularly during the pandemic.

“I think that uncertainty is the fuel at the moment that increases the fire of stress. A piece of advice is for all of us to focus on things that we can control. We have to maintain a semblance of normalcy in our daily routines and we have to refill our fuels, like do hobbies, physical exercise, to lessen stress despite being physically disconnected," she said.

"We can continue social connection by social media and we have to also avoid [feeling] overwhelmed on social media about what we read and watch. Do some mindfulness exercises,” Cayad added.