The number of persons confirmed with COVID-19 rises daily and this increases the probability for family members, friends and acquaintances to contract the virus. Those who are infected are often discriminated and this can lead to depression. In a discussion with IPN’s reporter, psychologist Lilia Gorceac explained how the family, workmates and society in general can support those who got the novel coronavirus.
The psychologist explained that when the people are not sick, they are strong and less responsible. When they become ill, anxiety appears and this can lead to depression. If the patient’s state of health worsens, fear grows and contributes to depression.
The family can help by trying not to neglect the infected person and not to discriminate against this. “We should not be afraid and should realize that if we obey the rules, our chance of not becoming infected is greater. When we are not afraid, we indirectly transmit the state of optimism and confidence to the patient,” stated Lilia Gorceac.
A courageous attitude to the sick person is needed. “When we measure the fever for seven times and ten times ask about the state of health, we do only harm”.
According to the psychologist, stigmatization is felt also at the workplace. When a person coughs, everyone looks at this person with hatred. But the person can cough for other reasons too, not necessary because of having COVID-19. Discrimination is harmful and painful and it kills the state of optimism and scares the people.
The workmates and chiefs of persons with COVID-19 should be tolerant of these persons and should realize that they can also be in their place. Compassion, respect and a very nice attitude to colleagues are needed. These should be phoned and asked about their state of health and be told that they are expected to return to work.
Lilia Gorceac considers the older persons should be devoted more attention and should be allowed to go on leave at their own expense if they work so that they could isolate and avoid dangers as they are more exposed. In the case of older persons, the danger of needing intensive care or of dying when becoming infected is much greater.
Besides imposing anti-epidemic measures, the people should be told how to prevent negative emotional states or what they should do for the emotional state to help the infected persons survive. “The psychological state can be sometimes decisive for recovering. When we refuse to fight and consider that there is no use fighting, we die. Positive self-suggestions are needed: “I have what to live for. The children, grandchildren, work are waiting for me or simply life is beautiful and I want to continue living”.
The persons are urged to listen to music, to live with nice memories, to dream of things that they didn’t do and want to do. The psychologist believes the good emotional health depends primarily on positive thinking, meditation and positive self-suggestions.
