Confinement is a completely new situation, with its share of psychological consequences: fear of falling ill, fear of lack, anxiety linked to uncertainty, loneliness, fear of being forgotten. For some, confinement is felt as a constraint and consequently induces a feeling of helplessness. In others, it appears as acute stress. Finally, the deprivation of liberty can be perceived in a positive way, the opportunity to look back on oneself, a moment when we have time to live with our loved ones, taking advantage of the present moment.
With a background in prison, Jérémy Augier, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and criminologist, enlightens us on the repercussions on mental health inherent in this exceptional situation and guides us on the methods to adopt so that confinement does not rhyme with prison!
We see that the French do not necessarily respect confinement … To deprive humans of their freedom, even relative, is to deprive them of a part of themselves?
This confinement was not chosen, but decided by an outside authority in order to avoid the rapid spread of the virus. Some may experience it as a constraint, an obstacle to their individual freedom. This human urge to go out will generate a feeling of freedom. It is a moment of release of tension and aggressiveness during which one reappropriates the pleasure. It also makes it possible to recover power on the laws, going out being able to be seen as resistance against these prohibitions. For some, this freedom to go out is also a way of take some distance from the psychoaffective dynamic that can play out in the home. If true freedom consists in doing everything that does not harm others, it would seem that leaving this space of freedom to the confined in the respect of the regulations is a desirable space for the good of the community.
For people living alone, the risks of psychological disorders are increased tenfold?
It is possible, especially if they do not maintain social ties with the outside world. Human beings are social by nature and this feeling of loneliness, although it can be well tolerated for some, can also be experienced in a very painful way for others. Nowadays, there are many ways for isolated people to continue to communicate with their loved ones, via social networks for example. Communities are being set up, creating sports groups on the Internet with fixed schedules to meet all together. These initiatives increase the feeling of belonging and prevent the risk of isolation. However, some older people, for example, are unfamiliar with social media and may feel overlooked by their families. The inability to communicate spontaneously, estrangement from loved ones, and fear of illness and death actually increase the risk of depression.
We also note that this confinement causes for some an increased appetite for alcohol, as an outlet for loneliness?
Isolation can indeed strengthen or even stimulate the desire to drink. This transitory state of euphoria caused by alcohol brings a feeling of pleasure and leads to temporarily deny his anxiety. This moment of confinement is a time of returning to oneself, to one’s life story. From buried problems can therefore wake up during this period. This face to face, imposed brutally and for a long time, can thus create distress in some and an increase in suffering. Faced with these emotions that are not always identifiable, some will find alcohol or even drugs an outlet. Perhaps the challenge would be to mobilize one’s own resources to learn how to deal with this distress. Once again, the close entourage can be a stimulating factor to support and accompany the most vulnerable people.
On another note, we noted in China, and it will probably be the same in Europe, a very clear increase in divorces …
Indeed, I was able to note this problem at the level of my patients. They are experiencing couple problems related, in part, to confinement. Being cloistered with your family, sometimes in small spaces, can generate tensions, irritations and accentuate latent problems within the couple. Before, time was divided between work, friends and life as a couple. It is now a 24-hour cohabitation. Parents have to help children with their homework which sometimes leads to despair. Some parents also have to telecommute in this restricted environment. This period can highlight the fragility of the couple. If one is crossed by negative emotions towards the other, one should not hesitate to isolate oneself, to breathe a little in order to resume, thereafter, the communication. I think it is necessary for the couple, in addition to having moments together (the us), toalso have moments to yourself (the I). However, we can also look at things from a positive angle. This ordeal can strengthen ties. It seems important to me to recreate another framework: to think of another way of working with confinement. It seems necessary to me to project into the future, to think about living together beyond confinement.
What advice would you give to better experience confinement?
I think that the key is movement. Already, the movement through his body which evacuates the stress. It is important to stay in action by respecting the instructions: walk, exercise. Walking outside, taking a look at our environment, it allows us to reassure us about our belonging to the world. This will make it possible to realize that, even if an invisible virus is lurking, the outside environment is not only anxious.
Then there is the movement which I will call “interior”. Now that I am facing myself with this apparent inactivity and these fears, I can ask myself the question: “What can I put in place?” This period can be a challenge for everyone. Some, faced with their negative emotions, will use narcotics, others will choose more constructively to mobilize internal resources. For example, using stress management techniques or developing creativity: reading, music, sport … Finally, it is possible to initiate a spiritual movement, a reflection. “What meaning should I give to the current period? What place do I want to occupy?” Each person will have to give his own meaning, his vision of things according to his feelings which could be the engine of a personal evolution.
For practical advice, it is important to stay in touch with loved ones, especially through the phone and social networks. I also advise not to watch the news on a loop. This is a source of anxiety, especially for children. Play games with the family, be imaginative! Structure your time, create a sort of routine for yourself in order to have new time points. For the most privileged, you can try to help the most disadvantaged, it creates a feeling of utility and worth which makes it possible to become aware of our interdependence.
Do you think that, as we had to get used to this new life of confinement, we will need a little period of adaptation to deconfinement?
Yes, and I think this adaptation time will vary from person to person. For those immobilized by this astonishment during confinement, unable to manage fear and anxiety, deconfinement may be complicated. It may be that some people suffer from spatio-temporal disorientation. It will therefore not be easy to leave a place where one feels safe to find oneself in a larger environment that generates fear. We must also ask ourselves the question: “Will the coronavirus have disappeared after May 11?” According to doctors and other scientists, probably not! The fear generated by the epidemic is likely to continue after May 11 and some people may decide to remain cloistered despite the deconfinement. If the person has remained in motion, kept social ties, took the time to reflect and did not let the anxiety-provoking climate invade, deconfinement will be easier to manage.
Find the full interview on the site Maintenance officers
If the harm becomes too great, people should not hesitate to ask for help. If necessary, there are psychological help platforms:
- National COVID-19 psychological support unit (free)
- Help for the French population in psychological distress during the epidemic and confinement 0 800 130 000 (free, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day)
- For caregivers: Solidarity psychologists or Psyformed.com. (Free services)
In the event of a situation of violence, it is necessary that the victim gets closer to his family or that she reports the facts in pharmacies or contacts the 115 or 119 “Allo childhood in danger”.
