dolution
dolution.
Living through a pandemic, surrounded by death and illness and growing inequality, is a difficult thing. But when adding toall that feelings of guilt around still being alive and even well, it just compounds the psychological effects of the pandemic.We all know the coronavirus pandemic has had and continues to affect many people in ways that are unseen. Whilemillions of people are falling ill and passing away from the virus, there are millions of others who are living with thepsychological effects. These are often not visible in any way.What is survivors’ guilt?One of the emerging experiences of the pandemic is the feeling of guilt, more specifically survivors’ guilt. Survivors’ guilttakes place when an individual experiences and survives a traumatic experience but they find themselves feeling like theyare undeserving of survival or that someone else would have been more deserving. It is a form of post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD).Survivors’ guilt as a psychological condition emerged after the Holocaust. It has also been documented among active-dutycombat veterans; survivors of events like the 9/11 attacks, mass shootings, or serious illness.Experts have now said that this is becoming more and more common as the pandemic continues. Akua K. Boateng, PhD,
LPC, a licensed psychotherapist, told Healthline that “it can be really challenging to have a positive or better outcome post-trauma when you know that others have not been afforded a similar opportunity”.
This type of guilt affects everyone and no one is immune because we are all experiencing collective trauma. However, it islikely to be more common in people who have been infected by the virus and recovered. Those who are dealing with longCovid could get reminders of guilt everyday. People who might have spread the virus without knowing can also experienceit. The pandemic has presented many ethically difficult scenarios. This includes not being able to comfort an ill familymember in person, surviving when others are dying, and being unable to provide for one’s family because of loss ofemployment. These can all cause guilt.A guide to caring for patients with mild and moderate Covid-19 at homeThe psychological effects of the pandemicProf. Puleng Segalo, professor of psychology at the University of South Africa, told The Daily Vox that some of thepsychological effects of the pandemic have been loneliness, a sense of helplessness, anxiety and depression. Segalo saidbecause the pandemic has affected people differently, there might be those who feel guilty that people around them areexperiencing loss and they are not.“Things might be going well for them at work and interpersonal relationships are intact, while others are losing their jobs asa result of the economic impact of COVID-19. There are things that are often out of an individual’s control but they may feelsomehow responsible and this may lead to them feeling guilty,” said Segalo.All of this can be seen as survivors’ guilt. People can become consumed by reports of the pandemic and wonder why theyhave been spared. Segalo said it can manifest in a huge emotional load that may affect sleeping patterns, cause stress andsome physical symptoms of being unwell (e.g. headaches).Dealing with the guiltIn a piece on The Conversation, David Chesire and Mark S. McIntosh from the University of Florida wrote that managingsurvivor’s guilt is an individual process, and what works for one may not work for another. There is a recognition that evenas people go through individual grieving processes, healing comes from realising how connected we all are.Segalo said that it is important for people to know and realise that this feeling of guilt is normal and it shows that “you canfeel for others”. “Most of all, acknowledging that you do not have to go through dealing with trauma alone but collectively isimportant,” said Segalo.
Some tips that Prof Segalo gave for dealing with survivors’ guilt:Shifting from internalising and instead finding people/safe avenues to express how you are feeling can assist with lifting theload you are carrying.Exercise some self-care, write about your feelings, meditate and consider being involved in charitable organisations eithermonetarily or assisting in other ways necessary.Leaning on your friends and family members for emotional support. Having trusted people in your life on whose shouldersyou can cry is critical.You may also consider going for professional psychological counselling or joining a support group.For religious people, turning towards their spirituality can be helpful.
LPC, a licensed psychotherapist, told Healthline that “it can be really challenging to have a positive or better outcome post-trauma when you know that others have not been afforded a similar opportunity”.
This type of guilt affects everyone and no one is immune because we are all experiencing collective trauma. However, it islikely to be more common in people who have been infected by the virus and recovered. Those who are dealing with longCovid could get reminders of guilt everyday. People who might have spread the virus without knowing can also experienceit. The pandemic has presented many ethically difficult scenarios. This includes not being able to comfort an ill familymember in person, surviving when others are dying, and being unable to provide for one’s family because of loss ofemployment. These can all cause guilt.A guide to caring for patients with mild and moderate Covid-19 at homeThe psychological effects of the pandemicProf. Puleng Segalo, professor of psychology at the University of South Africa, told The Daily Vox that some of thepsychological effects of the pandemic have been loneliness, a sense of helplessness, anxiety and depression. Segalo saidbecause the pandemic has affected people differently, there might be those who feel guilty that people around them areexperiencing loss and they are not.“Things might be going well for them at work and interpersonal relationships are intact, while others are losing their jobs asa result of the economic impact of COVID-19. There are things that are often out of an individual’s control but they may feelsomehow responsible and this may lead to them feeling guilty,” said Segalo.All of this can be seen as survivors’ guilt. People can become consumed by reports of the pandemic and wonder why theyhave been spared. Segalo said it can manifest in a huge emotional load that may affect sleeping patterns, cause stress andsome physical symptoms of being unwell (e.g. headaches).Dealing with the guiltIn a piece on The Conversation, David Chesire and Mark S. McIntosh from the University of Florida wrote that managingsurvivor’s guilt is an individual process, and what works for one may not work for another. There is a recognition that evenas people go through individual grieving processes, healing comes from realising how connected we all are.Segalo said that it is important for people to know and realise that this feeling of guilt is normal and it shows that “you canfeel for others”. “Most of all, acknowledging that you do not have to go through dealing with trauma alone but collectively isimportant,” said Segalo.
Some tips that Prof Segalo gave for dealing with survivors’ guilt:Shifting from internalising and instead finding people/safe avenues to express how you are feeling can assist with lifting theload you are carrying.Exercise some self-care, write about your feelings, meditate and consider being involved in charitable organisations eithermonetarily or assisting in other ways necessary.Leaning on your friends and family members for emotional support. Having trusted people in your life on whose shouldersyou can cry is critical.You may also consider going for professional psychological counselling or joining a support group.For religious people, turning towards their spirituality can be helpful.
The case has not provided a suitable definition of downsizing. Provide a description of what you understand by downsizingand how COVID – 19 has perpetuated further downsizing in South Africa.
Save your time - order a paper!
Get your paper written from scratch within the tight deadline. Our service is a reliable solution to all your troubles. Place an order on any task and we will take care of it. You won’t have to worry about the quality and deadlines
Order Paper Now"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"
