As governments struggle to respond to the economic and medical impacts of COVID-19, a quieter, unseen struggle is being endured by many people who are staying at home and following the rules of social distancing.

People in most countries across the globe are being asked, or told, to isolate themselves and it can lead to an increase in anxiety and stress.

Some are struggling with being unable to go to work, visit their families or socialize with friends. Isolation from regular life can lead to doubts and despair.

Patricia Riddell a professor from Reading University's psychology and clinical language sciences department, believes anxiety and stress levels are increasing.

"This partly depends how we frame the message, so I think people hear that they're being told to stay in, then that takes away their freedom of choice, that takes away their autonomy. And one of the things that motivates us most to act is autonomy. When it's restricted, people push back."

Curfews and fines imposed by the authorities in Spain, France and Italy have meant people, especially in cities, are staying cooped up in small apartments for most of the time. Some venture out to buy food or look for medicines for an hour or so.

Britain's virtual lockdown has been, up to now, fairly relaxed. People are getting used to their days consisting of shopping, exercise and travel to work if they are key workers. Or working from home if they can.

At a farmers' market in Hammersmith, London, a retired man buying vegetables, says he hasn't minded lockdown so far: "It's still a bit of a novelty, and it's rather fun, well not fun, but you can chat to neighbors, it's a bit of a novelty."

Asked if he felt people's general wellbeing is being affected, he replied: "Not yet, he said, but it will do if it goes on like this, yes."

He felt people would feel imposed upon if they can't enjoy summer holidays, or if they, like him, aren't allowed to see their grandchildren for much longer.

Maria runs a bread and cake stall on Hammersmiths' King Street, and says the UK lockdown is having an impact.

"I think it definitely has an impact on mental wellbeing, like obviously you love the people you live with, usually, but it does get a bit stressful. I feel like when you spend so much time with someone you do get a bit stressed out," she said.

Clara, from Czechia, lost her job as a nanny, but admits: "It is obviously difficult not being able to do things, but I don't think it really hit me yet. I feel it, just by not being able to go out or not being able to go to the pub."     

Nicolette de Villiers was also buying fresh fruit and vegetables at the market, and as a retired clinical psychologist with Britain's National Health Service, she has likely noticed the effect of the lockdown more than most.

"It's just this balance, between health and life versus the kind of in the short term or medium term, having to deal with the impact emotionally," she said. 

It's too early for substantial academic research on how the lockdown is affecting society, but some physicians are already reporting a spike in levels of depression and of people feeling anxious.

These concerns are likely to increase, especially if governments extend the periods of social distancing and impose the need for more isolation to stop the coronavirus from spreading.