Mental Health During COVID-19: Coping with Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Symptoms

When Pablo Muirhead and his family of four tested positive for COVID-19, the diagnosis brought not only physical symptoms but also waves of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. In this candid conversation, Pablo shares what it’s really like to live through coronavirus as a family — from the shock of the test results to the emotional toll of quarantine.

Despite having underlying health conditions and mild depression and anxiety, Pablo and his family’s experience highlights an often-overlooked truth: for many, COVID-19 is not a death sentence. Most cases are mild — but the mental health impact of fear, stigma, and isolation can be profound.

This episode offers a reassuring, real-world perspective on coping with illness during a pandemic, staying hopeful, and protecting both mental and physical health while in quarantine.

Link to Pablo's YouTube posts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7WvvjxyQGq6BYrrR8rqnDAZvI9AqOjMN

Primary Topics Covered:

• A family’s firsthand experience of testing positive for COVID-19
• Mild symptoms vs. worst-case fears: finding perspective
• Coping with anxiety, depression, and uncertainty during illness
• Quarantine as a family: balancing health, parenting, and connection
• The role of stigma and why going public was liberating
• How fear and misinformation can amplify anxiety
• Why maintaining hope and kindness supports the immune system
• Lessons for treating ourselves — and others — with compassion during crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: mental health focus during the pandemic
 01:18 – Meet Pablo: family of four tests positive for COVID-19
 02:35 – First symptoms: chills, headache, mild fever
 03:44 – Testing experience: negative flu, then COVID-19 confirmation
 04:35 – Family reaction: tears, fear, and uncertainty
 05:46 – Coping with anxiety and depression during illness
 06:32 – Mild symptoms and quick recovery: a reassuring reality
 07:55 – Family members’ experiences: loss of taste, sniffles, mild asthma
 09:34 – Quarantine at home: masks, distancing, and adjusting routines
 10:27 – Anxiety about exposure and stigma before going public
 11:24 – Going public: social media video and community response
 12:12 – The mental toll of uncertainty and fear-driven thinking
 13:21 – Immune system and mental health: why hope matters
 14:38 – Parenting challenges during quarantine: screen time, routines
 15:19 – Perspective: most people will experience mild or no symptoms
 16:23 – Silver linings: slowing down and finding opportunities in change
 17:24 – Staying connected while physically distant
 18:17 – Closing reflections: compassion, resilience, and hope

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