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How to Stop the Collective Coronavirus Traumatization
Is shame stopping us from recognizing our struggle and reaching out for help?
Antonieta Contreras, LCSW-R, CCTP-II, BCN
April 12th, 2020
In the case of a pandemic like the one we are experiencing, people fear their own death or the death of their loved ones. This means that even without contracting the virus, millions of people may be going through traumatization. In a previous post, I explained how that traumatization could happen. In this post, I’ll talk about how to prioritize your mental health even if it feels trivial compared to other priorities, and why a better understanding of trauma beyond PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can help on an individual level and a societal level.
For centuries, society has been less than empathetic to people who suffer emotionally. Psychological trauma has been denied one time after another. We’re much more likely to help those with observable physical conditions than emotional ones — a blind person crossing the street draws more sympathy than the depressed person on the subway. When we encounter someone emotionally challenged, instead of empathy, we feel fear, contempt, or shame.
