- Monday evening, Emmanuel Macron announced that from May 11, nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools would gradually reopen, suggesting a beginning of deconfinement.
- An advertisement that asks a lot of questions, arousing in some people a feeling of relief, and in others a great anguish.
- Christèle Albaret, psychotherapist, details the various reactions and lessons that we can experience and learn from this very special period.
Some have uttered a big "phew!" Of relief, Monday evening, in front of Emmanuel Macron announcing that on May 11, the school should resume gradually. Others did not sleep overnight, wondering if this was a reasonable decision as the coronavirus epidemic continues.
If many question marks remain unanswered on this probable beginning of deconfinement in mid-May, this decision causes a tsunami of emotions sometimes contrary and complicated to decipher. To help us be clearer, the psychosociologist and founder of the E-health clinic Christèle Albaret explores, for 20 Minutes, some of these reactions.
Some people experience containment better than others. Who are the most fragile people?
People who live alone, isolated. Elderly people who can lose their routine fairly quickly. Then, people who are anxious, depressed, and all those who have a mood disorder. To live this period better, the first thing is to break the isolation by being in touch by phone, email, mail with loved ones.
When you don't have that opportunity, the most important thing is to write. I repeat to all of my patients that writing is therapeutic, it is extremely effective. Keep a log book! It allows you to put your emotions down, to put a distance with anxiety and stress, and it's accessible to everyone.
What are the various reactions following the president's announcement of the start of deconfinement on May 11?
This deadline refers to hope, but again to the unknown. In general, we have exceeded the twenty days of confinement, so our brain has started to adapt, to create a routine, therefore a feeling of security. May 11 is a prospect.
For some, it is a high health and economic risk. We are not equal in our reactions to these announcements. They depend on our heritage, our history, our temperament ... If I am an optimist, constructive thinking will allow us to live this new change more serenely. If I am anxious, the fear is exacerbated because we have no prior experience. Above all, you shouldn't feel guilty by saying to yourself "there are some who get there". We are all unique, so are our reactions. No one was prepared, and step by step, you learn to cope with what you experience emotionally.
What reactions have you noticed in your patients since Monday?
For the most part, this reaction is paradoxical: there is hope and anxiety, because we do not know how it will happen. Lots of anger, too, especially on the schools that reopen first, when that's what we closed first. The idea that we are going to sacrifice our children on the altar of the economy is widespread. I did not expect it, but since the beginning of the week it is 20% of the time of the consultation which is devoted to this concern of the parents.
You talked in a video about the five phases of containment. Does the announcement of deconfinement take us to a new stage?
I recall the five phases: survival, progressive acceptance, transformation, commitment and finally integration. These phases are juxtaposed with the curve showing the epidemic peak. So the phase we are going through is halfway between commitment and integration. So we are moving forward. The problem is that with these announcements, we go back a bit, because there is again a shock, anger, a misunderstanding. So a new phase of acceptance.
We must realize that we have just lived, in a very short period, phases of mourning and adaptation. Each announcement brings something new. However, human beings do not like change. And in reality, this epidemic has forced us to train for change management, which is positive. Each has demonstrated its ability to cope with adversity. Everyone has gone through the unknown, no matter the way. Whereas if we had been told beforehand what we were going to live, many would have thought: "I will never get there".
How best to prepare psychologically for this resumption of activity?
By not preparing too much, precisely! By wanting to control everything, plan everything, the only thing that you will cultivate is your feeling of helplessness. So it's better to cultivate your adaptability: let go, question yourself, test things on a small scale. Instead of wondering what I'm going to do when school starts, we need to focus on the successes and failures of the day, and learn the lessons for tomorrow.
What are the signals that should alert you to the fact that confinement and the prospect of deconfinement lead to psychological illness?
The most important disorder is the worsening of the anxiety disorder, and especially the risk of depression. Fueled by anxiety, isolation and a feeling of helplessness. So you have to pay attention to a significant and rapid weight loss, deep and continuous sadness, unusual sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, loss of self-esteem, cognitive difficulties.
And for health personnel, but also for other professionals, the other risk is burnout. Because parents who telecommute with their children to manage are under significant pressure. Especially since they no longer have the opportunity to talk about their difficulties at the coffee break ... In this case, the signals that should alert are emotional overflow (crying, for example), isolation, sleep disturbance and irritability.
Do you think that there could be, as of May 11, an explosion of anxiety attacks or depressions?
I do not think that there will be massive decompensations [transition from neurosis to psychosis], because the deconfinement will be progressive. We are going to experience a series of homeopathic dose reliefs. It's almost no worse, it will contain things. On the other hand, it is possible that post-traumatic stresses and psychological disorders multiply, but we will not see them right away. However, we will have to be very careful in the next six months.
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Everyone must be attentive to their psychological and physical state. If you have not been exercising for two months, you are not going back to the gym completely. The machine will have to be readjusted, both physically and mentally. It will be necessary to be tolerant and kind. Towards yourself and others. Many companies are already contacting psychologists to plan and prepare for the return of employees.
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