After the two years of the pandemic, now the situation of extreme tension between Russia and Ukraine risks causing many people to break down psychologically (especially hyper sensitive subjects). The military invasion of Ukraine and the fact that radio and TV that today bring us agonizing reports of dead, injured and fleeing families has caused a very strong emotional shock in every part of the world. Psychologists warn: the impact of this situation on individual and collective mental health should not be underestimated. Above all because, as anticipated, the fact is part of a decidedly gloomy historical period. How to manage the anxiety, the panic, the depression that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is causing? An in-depth article appeared on Psychology Today explains the importance of creating a sense of community and investing in the value of solidarity to deal with the symptoms of anxiety in reaction to the political crisis. We asked two psychologists for further practical advice.
The insane fear of a great war
Who does not remember the testimonies of the Second World War of parents, grandparents, uncles? Tragic and painful stories that it is impossible (and it would be unfair) to forget. And now many people, young and old, fear the outbreak of a new great war. As the Eugenie Alderisio, psychotherapist in Milan and Novara and consultant Mustela Formation Infanzito«The concept of assault triggers real nightmares, first of all the atavistic terror of death, which finds its maximum expression in the concept of war. An experience that recurs after the fear and anguish experienced during the two years of the pandemic. Alongside fear, however, this circumstance feeds an experience of helplessness, another condition that hurts us extremely, because it presupposes the impossibility of carrying out an action and defending oneself. Fear and helplessness, together, generate moods of great suffering, leading to sleep, eating and relationship disorders. How to save us? We have a single tool that certainly does not solve, but that helps to manage our internal states: the word. Talk to each other – be it the partner, a family member, the friend of all time – not only increases awareness and knowledge, but makes everything more acceptable, digestible, simple. Even a tragedy like war. Sharing our fears with the other allows us to lighten ourselves and find an emotional mirroring which will make us feel less alone and discouraged. Therefore, it is forbidden to close in on oneself and suffer in solitude a state of strong anxiety and fear ».
Psychological strategies here and now to react to fear
According to Dr. Elena Benvenuti, psychotherapist with office in Cervia, «To manage this new wave of anxiety-fear-anger-panic caused by the conflict, considering how much we are still tested by the consequences of the pandemic, it is necessary to make a mental effort. That means try to stay on reality as much as possiblenot letting ourselves be overwhelmed by simplistic and apocalyptic catastrophic visions of the future. It is necessary to stay in the single day and not to project too far. To overcome the sense of helplessness we can meanwhile formulate good thoughts for Ukraine and for the safety of its inhabitants, informing us on how to collect and send food and medicines in this critical moment. Doing and trying to find practical solutions even here in Italy, perhaps hosting a Ukrainian family, where possible, puts us in a situation of positive proactivity, which neutralizes the sense of frustration given by passivity. We avoid overexposure to data, information and predictions and try to balance exposure to war bulletins with neutral, or better still positive news. If it is important to stay informed, you need to learn how to protect yourself. We also avoid becoming ourselves spreaders of bad news: the multiplicative effect of fear and negativity must be avoided with care. In our small way, moreover, we try to express ourselves as much as possible with kind words and empathic and positive waysremembering that this is not the most appropriate period to face changes and ruptures ».
Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you
The impact a war can have on global health
Psychologist at school: why it is important and what the kids think about it
Source: Vanity Fair
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