The state of alarm decreed by the Government to face the expansion of the new coronavirus forces citizens to remain confined all or much of the day at home. It is a potentially stressful situation, first of all for the reasons that have led to these drastic measures, and also because of the uncertainty of not knowing how long the situation will last.
However, and as the professor of psychology at the Open University of Catalonia José Ramon Ubieto Pardo explains, “there is a first psychological effect that occurs in this type of confinement situations due to a crisis that is, paradoxically, a certain tranquility . This is because the citizen perceives that something is being done to control the crisis , whether it is a massive terrorist attack, a health epidemic or a natural catastrophe. In the midst of the chaos, something is being done and we can also take refuge in an apparently safe place that is our home ”, explains the expert.
Regarding the negative effects of social isolation, Ubieto believes that it will be necessary to see what happens depending on the duration of the crisis and its conditions. “A situation in which you do not have any kind of margin of movement is not the same as the one that currently exists in Spain: there is no curfew or state of exception and therefore certain routines of daily life such as going to do the basic purchase or work as the case continues to be made That limits the feeling of overwhelm and seclusion ”.
On the other hand, and to help better manage emotions and stress during these weeks, psychologists recommend guidelines such as forcing yourself to do certain activities: setting the alarm clock or setting aside time to do stretching at home are simple tricks that can help you have a some sense of normalcy.
Technology: ally or foe?
In this situation, there is no doubt that new technologies are a very effective aid to combat the feeling of isolation. “They allow us to communicate with our family and friends, share movies and concerts, read, inform ourselves,” says Ubieto. For many people, especially those who live alone, telecommunications will be the best therapy.
However, they are also a double-edged sword: panic and hoaxes are easily viralized, and experts do not recommend being hooked on networks all day or looking for information about the coronavirus crisis, because this can make us enter a permanent state of anguish. “Anyway, infoxication and the spread of fake news are inherent to social networks, and they were already there before the state of alarm was decreed, ” reflects the psychologist.
Not alone, not in bad company
For people who live alone, a situation of confinement that lasts for a long time can have psychological consequences. “ There are many elderly people who live alone, especially vulnerable, who do not have much social life and who do it precisely when they go out for a walk, shopping, etc. For them, this is even more serious because it increases the feeling of isolation that they already have in their daily lives ”, explains Ubieto.
And then there is the other extreme: managing the usual problems of coexistence in a very exceptional situation. “It is proven that divorces increase in September, after the holidays . Many families are forced to spend a lot of time together, and friction and fights break out. Now you have to live with the children at home, locked up, and often having to telework at the same time. They are complicated stress situations. ”, Recalls the expert.
Living with your abuser
“The most extreme problem occurs in cases of abuse. Women who suffer violence from their partners, in normal situations have the relief of being able to go out to work, or that their abuser does. Most conflicts occur in situations where there is actually very little time together at home. Imagine if the abuser cannot get out ”, the expert tells us. “Another worrying case, for example, may be that of habitual drug users.” For its part, the Government Delegation against Gender Violence has recalled on its Twitter account that counseling and assistance services for victims are active.
When anxiety gets older
Almost all citizens are going through a totally logical moment of stress and anguish given the situation we are experiencing. In which cases should we be concerned? Ubieto reminds us that when anxiety prevents daily actions such as eating or sleeping, or suicidal thoughts occur, it is convenient to turn to an expert, as we are talking about symptoms that already involve a greater severity.
“Today, precisely thanks to new technologies, the possibility of telematic consultations is widespread and many of us who work in this area will continue to have contact with our patients ,” he tells us. “For people who do not regularly receive psychological care, there is also that possibility and it is certain that more and more resources will be generated. Pharmacies are open if they have to prescribe us a relaxant, and for the most serious cases there is still medical attention ”.
Living with children and adolescents
The closure of schools and the obligation to be confined at home causes a very exceptional situation for children, a kind of vacation that is not really such. How can we make the crisis more bearable – for them and for us? “You have to talk to them and explain very well what the real meaning and purpose of all this is. That it is an emergency and something necessary to keep the resources available for the people who will really need them, ”says Ubieto.
On the other hand, it is best to establish some kind of routine and even activity schedules. “You should not let the days go by arbitrarily, because it can greatly increase the feeling of internal chaos. You have to organize activities in which everyone can participate, share out household chores, look for group games, play sports at home and not leave daily leisure totally in the hands of electronic games ”, advises the psychologist. “It is necessary to have a certain routine but also introducing cuts and differentiated spaces between meals and other types of activities to maintain the feeling of normality,” he concludes.
