Mar 20, 2020
Joshua Miles
Mar 20, 2020
Seemingly out of nowhere, we find ourselves in uncertain, unknown and worrying times. An invisible, and unsettling threat has arisen in the form of COVID-19. This has prompted fear, worry and anxiety in many of us, and caused chaos, confusion and disruption to our lives, the communities, cities and world in which we live. There has been an increased sense of needing to survive, and ensuring we have enough provisions. This has been indicated by the empty shelves in supermarkets and the increased demand for ordinary household items as mundane as toilet paper or baked beans.
It is my intention in this article to consider the psychological impact this pandemic has had and may continue to have on us. I will explore how to manage the anxiety and panic generated during this crisis, offer some tips for managing of self-isolation and think about the role that the internet and online communities and communication plays during this time.
Much like the virus itself, the escalation of anxiety and panic has spread quickly. There are near constant developments, figures, predictions and often alarmist responses, which further escalate our unease. So, in these uncertain and unknown times, how can we manage anxiety and panic and try to hold onto a semblance of normalcy.
Joshua Miles
Joshua Miles is a psychotherapist in North London