- A regional listening and psychological support unit has been set up for residents of the Paca region and Corsica.
- It is available at 04 97 13 50 03, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- For Sandra Dachraoui, one of the two psychologists in the cell, everyone should know that "if he's at the bottom of the hole, there will always be someone there for him".
The Covid-19 epidemic is a source of stress and anxiety for many French people. Added to this is the confinement, experienced differently by each. To help those who encounter difficulties by listening to them and directing them towards the appropriate service, the regional psychotrauma center of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Corsica regions, the CHU of Nice, the Lenval Foundation, the Côte University d'Azur, the Public Assistance / Hospitals of Marseille, the Center hospitalier de Montfavet and the city of Nice have set up a regional listening and psychological support unit since March 30.
Sandra Dachraoui, doctor in clinical psychology and hypnotherapist, is one of the members of the mobilized team. The 34-year-old professional shared her feedback at 20 Minutes .
You receive between thirty and sixty calls a day. What is the psychological state of the people who contact you?
Some people have trouble sleeping, eating, or having a bad mood. Others have hypochondriac complaints. Their personal history, background and psychological resources influence the experience of confinement, which can be traumatic.
For example, confinement can cause a strong feeling of isolation, rejection and guilt. I receive calls from caregivers in dire need who are afraid of spreading the virus to their patients and families. For others, the first image that comes to mind when they are in solitary confinement is prison. Which symbolically means that they are dangerous to each other and that they have done something wrong. Hence the feeling of guilt while they are victims. The most difficult is to get out of this vision and we are here to help them.
Finally, there are many questions. How long should I teach my children? How to do for my parent in Ehpad? How will exit from containment take place? For some, it is an opportunity to go on an adventure. For others, it is a great source of anxiety.
You are also a psychologist at the Maison pour Accueil des Victoires de Nice. Is the threat perceived in the same way?
The situations are different. When the July 14, 2016 attack occurred, the attack was clear. You could name things. There, the attack is invisible. There is a permanent suspicion of being contaminated or contagious, which means being under the constant threat of death.
Also, in the case of the attack, it was necessary to rebuild itself after the event. With the epidemic, we are in the middle of the event. In a few weeks or months, some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. We are trying to locate them now to accompany them after the epidemic.
Likewise, we are particularly attentive to the people who experienced the attack. We know that old traumatic issues can rekindle during this period.
During his speeches, Emmanuel Macron used the warrior lexical field. What impact can this have on the psychology of the French?
This word is not without consequences for the experience of the epidemic. During a war, the threat of death is permanent. What can generate confusion, anger, but especially fear.
The term is strategic because it makes everyone aware of the role they have to play. If I'm at war, it means I'm directly involved. But what are my weapons? Usually, a soldier has his colleagues, he is used to fighting as a team, he is trained. In the case of the coronavirus, I am called to fight but with the only weapon to stay at home ... And then, to speak of war, it means that there will be a post-war period, therefore that it will require a long reconstruction.
You just talked about team combat. Is solidarity a note of hope to hold on to?
Yes, this is the other side of this period. People notice that they are not alone. That is why it is necessary to inform them about the support systems that exist. People mobilize every day. If I'm at the bottom of the hole, there will always be someone for me. This is an important message to get across.
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What do you also recommend to people who call you? And so also to those who read this article?
What I recommend first is to understand that it is normal to have anxieties. We practice a new form of social distancing, we are confined, everything is turned upside down. So it's normal to be afraid.
However, the objective is not to project oneself into disaster scenarios. For this, we can limit the sources of anxiety-provoking information. Watching negative news all day long can lead to crystallization.
Another point is to keep a routine that meets your basic needs: maintain social ties, eat well, sleep well. You have to try to have a regular rhythm.
What I can also recommend is to take advantage of this time to continue to do good. You have to try to focus on what is pleasant to calm your anxieties. Some, for example, take advantage of this event to rest, which can be life-saving.
To contact the regional listening and psychological support unit, call 04.97.13.50.03. This service is available during the confinement period, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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- Psychology
- Interview
- Coronavirus
- Covid 19
- Nice
- Containment
- Marseille