INDIANAPOLIS — The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be sparking a trend when it comes to people acting on impulse.
There has been a spike in trauma cases at some emergency rooms to back up that claim.
"We had a record June with over 400 trauma patients which is more than we have had in five years," Dr. Ashley Meagher, of IU Health, said.
Trauma means crash injuries, serious falls, or traumatic brain injuries stemming from serious accidents. What's different these days is the global crisis putting people in a space they've never been in before.
Doctors said numbers started to spike this summer and it looks like people are just desperate to get out and get going.
"That's significant because patients are coming in severely injured and I think some of that is people are out and about and being outside much more and so a lot of my recommendations are to in addition to taking care of your health also try to avoid risky behaviors," Meagher said.
It's not just the physical trauma that plays a role, it's also the mental trauma of it all.
"When you take away a privilege, the freedom of going out and doing things then you also have to replace it," therapist Darion Rose said. "So people are replacing it by doing all these crazy things."
According to Rose, it's all mental before it becomes physical and just a way to cope through the pandemic.
"It's an unseen enemy and because we can't see it we don't know to fight it," Rose said. "It's the same that goes on with trauma, PTSD. I'm not surprised to see a spike at all."
Rose said everyone has their vices and people typically have an outlet but with all the restrictions he said people are being pushed to react impulsively.
"Wear your seat belts when you're driving, wear your bike helmets when you're riding bikes, wear your helmet when you're riding motorcycles," Meagher said.
Meagher said just taking some extra steps and a moment to reflect on being more cautious during these times can make all the difference.
