Despite the UK coming out of lockdown four months ago , many people across the country are still terrified to open their doors and re-join society .
While most have coped relatively easily with the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of lockdown , a significant number are still experiencing anxiety and stress .
And , interestingly , people who had no preexisting mental health issues could be amongst those finding it hardest to readjust .
Dr Emma Kavanagh , a psychology consultant specialising in how people perform in extreme situations , said those who are prone to anxiety typically plan for the worst .
She argues that this will have helped them cope better with pandemic-related stresses than those who had not previously had to cope with anxiety .
THE AUTHOR OF ‘ HOW TO BE BROKEN ’ TOLD THE CANNAVIST :
She said tell-tale signs that people were finding it hard getting back to normal included feeling anxious about previously simple tasks , such as leaving their house or choosing an outfit to wear .
THE PSYCHOLOGIST SAID :
“ What ’ s happening now is that people have been operating on such a high level of threat for so long , it ’ s almost like they ’ ve lost the capacity to deal with challenges in the way they normally would .”
She said it was important that we now focus on moving forward and healing , instead of lingering on the negative effects of the pandemic .
DR KAVANAGH ADDED :
“ It is really important that people understand we are living through a disaster and even if the cases go away tomorrow , it ’ s not over .
“ The repercussions on society , healthcare and people who ’ ve lost family members are going to roll on .
“ Some people have been training their entire lives for the asteroid to hit and when it did , they knew what to do .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s productive to pretend it didn ’ t happen , or to pretend it ’ s over … I think it ’ s more productive to say , ‘ I lived through it … now what ?’”
“ Whereas for ‘ normal ’ people , they never even considered the possibility that an asteroid may hit .”
55