In March 2020, we have collectively entered a period that none of us had ever experienced before. The key word of the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertainty – the fear of what will happen in a period when many a goal has been shattered and it is virtually impossible to plan ahead. In this article, you can read about how people have responded to the fear of uncertainty, and what can be done to overcome this fear.
Overestimating the severity robs us of the pleasant moments
Overestimating the severity robs us of the pleasant moments
People have grossly different reactions to stressful events such as COVID-19. Many have been pondering different questions over the past two years. What will happen? Will there be another lockdown? Will I need to get vaccinated? What if I fall ill? What if I contaminate my family? What if the situation persists for years?
Overestimating the severity robs us of the pleasant moments
In such situations, people often create bleak scenarios where there is no room for living in the moment, or joy, and neither peace.
In cognitive behavioural therapy, such thinking is termed catastrophising – imagining the worst outcome possible. Overestimating the severity robs us of the pleasant moments that occur or could occur around us, but instead, we reject them or don't even bother pursuing them. Of course, this only perpetuates the vicious cycle. We begin to believe that the situation is truly terrible and that it will never improve; other people are to blame for everything, and this further fuels the fear and the anger. Such behavior can lead to various mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Catastrophising can be dealt with in the following ways:
Try seeing the broader picture.
Look for an alternative explanation.
Weigh the evidence.
Focus on what you yourself can do to face the situation.
