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Psychological coping with Corona Virus

In most instance, either when an acute onset of disaster such as flood, earthquake or other natural disaster occurs, human and other animals manage their psychological aspect of their lives by forecasting an end for the impact of the disaster. So, if I lose my home in a flood, I mobilize for obtaining my issuance funds and if things get really tough, I might pack my family and go to live with my relatives temporary. However, when the disaster and the its associated stress become chronic and it has an extended effect, then resources get depleted and life becomes even more difficult as we constantly produce stress hormones and the body goes into a prolonged fight and flight behavior. Unfortunately, when the fight and flight stage remain for a long time, body and mind leaves the typical executive functions and moves into very rudimentary behavior that is stored in us for melena by our ancestors. 

Imagine how the body and the mind of earlier human has to work when they were confronted with ferocious animals or the threat of unknowns of their environment.  As part of out evolution, we made changes in our lives to live in groups and larger societies for protections. The animals did not dare to attack large groups with fire, we shared and reduced the burden of stress by our social and familial activities. Even when in the extreme cases of prolonged stress of living in the concentration camp under the Nazi Germany, kept the human going was their forged relationships. Most animals come together when they are in pain. Human have done this all the time. we come together to share happiness as well as sadness. That is why we have funeral homes so we can share the pain of a loss and help each other to cope better with such loss.

When the Disaster is chronic and global, some of the pictures changes and we find it to be the most concerning time of life for human as a species.  We as a specie usually deal much better with changes that are slow and predictable. We might not like the idea of getting old since it brings some disharmony to out activities and we approach end of life. However, since the aging process happens very gradually, its stages are more predictable and are marked socioculturally, psychological and biologically and we see others going through them. The biological and markers of aging include menopause, gray hair, low sperm count, psychological markers of aging includes loneliness, loss of status and power, if you live in the western hemisphere and finally, the sociocultural hints are like senior citizen discount, etc. it is the predictability of these changes that makes us cope relatively well with the these changes. Additionally, aging occurs universally therefore, we see it as a normative change. On the other hand, acute disasters such as flood or loss of a love one outside of the social and cultural expectations, is not gradual nor it is predictable. In such cases coping is extremely difficult and each person might have a different reaction to these changes. For instance, losing a husband or wife at age 85 might be heat breaking, yet socioculturally and psychologically we have prepared ourselves for such loss and the coping occurs much easier than if a parent loses their child. The later is unexpected and mostly due its unpredictable nature causes very difficult coping behaviors.

Now with what we are faced with today, the Corona virus is pandemic, meaning it is worldwide. Therefore, we all share the pain and agonies. Nevertheless, it has some properties that makes it extremely hard to cope with. For one, it is unprecedented and we have not seen anything like it. We have to go back to the 1918 of Spanish flu. Secondly, we cannot use our evolutionary behavior of gathering and grouping to help each other here as we are told to do social distancing, therefore the suffering is not shared and the losses are enormous. Thirdly, it is chronic by its nature without any reasonable end in sight. Fourthly, we have no control over it as we feel it is like a shadowy enemy that can be anywhere. Finally, controlling the virus is one thing and then it aftermath of its comeback, the economic issues and so many unpredictable outcomes that we are yet to see are looming over our minds.

 

By now, predictably, we have gone into number of phases in our societies while Corona virus ravaged our biology, psychology, and sociocultural institutions that we have created over melaena.

We have gone through the Pre-Disaster Phase where we began to get anxious psychologically, tried to perceive the level of threat, and prepare ourselves for it. The flow of information was so slow, sporadic and at times confusing that many people decided to fall on the most famous psychological mechanism of denial. In many places, since the perceived threat was too ginormous, people just looked away and went about their routines. Many went to another famous psychological mechanism of rationalization. We thought there is conspiracy, we thought the government and the folks in charge such as WHO and CDC lie all the time. after all, we have been through so many warnings about a few hurricanes that never landed or missed an area that was ordered to evacuate. Many of us thought we will doge the bullet. However, it hit and it was a tsunami size that was unbelievable.  While in the pre-disaster phase, even those folks with rationalization, denial and real believe about the looming disasters, we went out and emptied the shops just in case. However, no one was prepared for the social distancing. As this change is unknown to us and took the rug out of our feet. Finally, we all had to come to see this monster face to face. As stated before, we are ok in dealing with disasters when we can group together. But this time our social and cultural structure that we have worked so hard to create could not be mobilized. What made it even worse was the psychological impact of unpredictability. We can usually survive better when we exercise control over a few things in our lives. Yet we could not exercise any control either. Therefore, psychological implication of this disaster robbed us from nearly all of our usual coping mechanisms.

The second phase of a disaster in the Impact phase. Given the gravity of the disaster many were stunned, confused and fell on the more rudimentary coping behavior of physically helping themselves and their loved ones. In some occasions we saw hysteria, panic and confusions. In other area we witnessed blaming, physical violence and increased anxiety and depression and even increase suicide activities. Now we learned that the impact zone is the entire planet. So, scaping was not possible either. Meaning of many values changed as routines had to change. You needed a cup of coffee, now you have to think about it twice. Wanted a haircut not available, wanted to talk to a banker only through drive through, bars were closed and all the typical venues that would generate relief was no longer there. Trips has to be cancelled and you have to stay home by yourself even if your family was living few streets down the road. School were closed, kids had an extended time at home with their parents. Spouses has to stay home for extended time period and flare-up happened

The typical next two phases of disaster that is almost the beginning of the healing process did not happen due to the nature of the disaster. Usually we move from Impact to the phase referred to as Heroic Phase. This happens in the immediate aftermath of a disaster event, survival, rescuing others, and promoting safety are priorities. Evacuation to shelters, motels, or other homes may be necessary. For some, post-impact disorientation gives way to adrenaline-induced rescue behavior to save lives and protect property. During this phase, even though productivity is usually low, the fact at we are doing something to help ourselves and others brings a great deal of psychological boosts to the communities.   

The conditions associated with evacuation and relocation have psychological significance. The next phase that we also will bypass with this current disaster is the one known as Honeymoon Phase 

During the week to months following a disaster, formal governmental and volunteer assistance may be readily available. Community bonding occurs as a result of sharing the catastrophic experience and the giving and receiving of community support. Survivors may experience a short-lived sense of optimism that the help they will receive will make them whole again. When disaster mental health workers are visible and perceived as helpful during this phase, they are more readily accepted and have a foundation from which to provide assistance in the difficult phases ahead. 

Disillusionment Phase 

Over time, survivors go through an inventory process during which they begin to recognize the limits of available disaster assistance. They become physically exhausted due to enormous multiple demands, financial pressures, and the stress of relocation or living in a damaged home. The unrealistic optimism initially experienced can give way to discouragement and fatigue. As disaster assistance agencies and volunteer groups begin to pull out, survivors may feel abandoned and resentful. Survivors calculate the gap between the assistance they have received and what they will require to regain their former living conditions and lifestyle. Stressors abound—family discord, financial losses, bureaucratic hassles, time constraints, home reconstruction, relocation, and lack of recreation or leisure time. Health problems and exacerbations of pre-existing conditions emerge due to ongoing, unrelenting stress and fatigue. The larger community less impacted by the disaster has often returned to business as usual, which typically is discouraging and alienating for survivors. Ill will and resentment may surface in neighborhoods as survivors receive unequal monetary amounts for what they perceive to be equal or similar damage. Divisiveness and hostility among neighbors undermine community cohesion and support. 

Reconstruction Phase 

The reconstruction of physical property and recovery of emotional well-being may continue for years following the disaster. Survivors have realized that they will need to solve the problems of rebuilding their own homes, businesses, and lives largely by themselves and have gradually assumed the responsibility for doing so. With the construction of new residences, buildings, and roads comes another level of recognition of losses. Survivors are faced with the need to readjust to and integrate new surroundings as they continue to grieve losses. Emotional resources within the family may be

exhausted, and social support from friends and family may be worn thin. When people come to see meaning, personal growth, and opportunity from their disaster experience despite their losses and pain, they are well on the road to recovery. While disasters may bring profound life-changing losses, they also bring the opportunity to recognize personal strengths and to reexamine life priorities. Individuals and communities progress through these phases at different rates, depending on the type of disaster and the degree and nature of disaster exposure. This progression may not be linear or sequential, as each person and community brings unique elements to the recovery process. Individual variables, such as psychological resilience, social support, and financial resources, influence a survivor's capacity to move through the phases. While there is always a risk of aligning expectations too rigidly with a developmental sequence, having an appreciation of the unfolding of psychosocial reactions to disaster is valuable. Type your paragraph here.