Coronavirus: Online psychologists to combat panic, fear, and isolation. Free (video)

Pandemic: a terrifying word, one that has plunged the world into a vortex of fears that are atavistic yet unheard of for at least two generations. The fear of contagion, of the virus, is a profound and unfathomable fear, tied to feelings of vulnerability and fragility that not everyone knows how to manage. To combat unjustified and collective panic, however, we need common sense, accurate information (without, for example, falling for every fake news spread on social media), and targeted strategies to avoid the incessant stream of anxiety-inducing news we receive these days. For example, as writer Fiona Cameron Lister suggests in an article on Medium , to calm COVID-19 anxiety, you can consider watching a movie instead of the news channel, changing the subject when people start talking about it by giving credence to fake news or unfounded rumors, getting a little extra sleep by taking advantage of remote working, and, above all, always refer to numbers after having put them in the right order of magnitude, considering their true significance.

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FREE CORONAVIRUS PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP

Sometimes, however, this common-sense advice fails to quell the anxiety, uncertainty, isolation, and panic we can experience these days. In some cases, forced inactivity at home forces us to confront feelings and emotions we haven't learned to manage, or that we've been keeping locked away in our unconscious. In such an extraordinary time, abandoning reassuring routines—walks, contact with friends and social circles, sometimes even with our partners and co-workers—can become a source of emotional upheaval and profound distress. Home can feel like a prison, anxiety can heighten, and panic can rear its ugly head. In these cases, the only solution is to seek professional help. For this reason, the Italian Society of Emergency Psychology has decided to launch an initiative offering completely free online or telephone consultations for those in quarantine or home isolation. The psychological support service is currently limited to certain regions, such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Sardinia. If you live in Lombardy, for example, to access the support service, you can send an email to [email protected].

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FREE PSYCHOLOGISTS AGAINST PANIC

The buzz of solidarity began in the first, terrible days of the red zones: in the Lodi area, for example, a number of volunteer psychologists and counselors had already mobilized, available for online or telephone consultations on psychological issues related to quarantine and isolation. Today, in an Italy at a standstill and confined to their homes, there are numerous similar initiatives, starting with that of about twenty psychologists gathered on the platform mindwork.it, created by psychologist Luca Mazzucchelli, or the Milanese practice Edonè , which is inviting anyone experiencing distress or emergency stress to contact professionals at [email protected].

Not just in Lombardy: by searching the hashtag #lopsicologotiaiuta, many solidarity initiatives are available during this emergency. These include the Lazio Order of Psychologists , which invites anyone through its portal to a free support session for panic attacks or anxiety disorders, and the Era association , which operates in Tuscany, offering free telephone counseling with its psychotherapists. The service is open to everyone, both adults and adolescents. By browsing the list of digital solidarity initiatives launched to address the lockdown in Italy, you can also find a panic emergency number, a free telephone helpline for anxiety and panic disorders, managed by ISIDAP (the Italian Institute Specializing in the Treatment of Panic Attacks, Depression, and Anxiety Disorders). You can reach it free of charge at the toll-free number 800 060708.

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