Figure 1.

General proposed pathway influenced by various factors. Physiological concepts are applied to formulate the pathway. The proposed mechanism where the COVID-19 pandemic has caused quarantine response: social isolation conditions have a number of health issues associated with stress (highlighted in blue). Loneliness may be induced by social isolation, or make an existing loneliness condition worse, and is also associated with stress (highlighted in blue). Pre-pandemic factors also play a role (highlighted in brown). The resulting stress is associated with a cascade of events (highlighted in purple), ending with a link to generalized anxiety.