The usefulness of online therapy for coronavirus anxiety

Aspects in which online psychotherapy helps in the face of pandemic anxiety.

The coronavirus crisis has brought about two situations for which there is no precedent in recent decades: psychological problems are affecting more people than usual, on the one hand, and many of these people are unable to travel to a psychologist's office, on the other.

Fortunately, there is now there is a solution that allows to adapt to these circumstances: online therapy..

Throughout this article we will see the way in which our work as psychologists can provide effective support for those suffering from anxiety problems, very common during these days of confinement..

What aspects of the pandemic are a source of anxiety?

These are the different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that favor the appearance of anxiety problems among the population of the countries most affected by the coronavirus.

1. Economic and employment uncertainty

It should not be forgotten that psychological well-being is strongly influenced by the material conditions of life at our disposalIn general, it is more complicated to be happy and to have an optimal capacity for emotional management if one is in a situation of job insecurity and scarcity of resources to live.

That is why the spread of the coronavirus is generating such a strong psychological imprint among a large part of society: we must not only manage the discomfort caused by the fact of seeing our freedoms limited during these days, but we must also know how to manage the thoughts of anticipation of what will happen to us in the face of the economic crisis that is emerging as a result of the pandemic. And in the absence of information and gaps in knowledge in general, it is very easy for fear to arise, it is very easy for fear to ariseThe most pessimistic ideas have the power to attract our attention if there are no certainties to counteract their effect.

2. Isolation

Social isolation is another factor that enhances the appearance of anxiety disorders. Specifically, it favors the development of what in psychology is known as anxious-depressive disorders. The tendency to spend a lot of time without interacting with other people drags us into an unhealthy way of lifeWe suffer greater discomfort and find it more difficult to regulate our emotions, and this is capable of generating a domino effect that makes the situation worse.

For example, spending hours and hours alone makes us more prone to irregular sleeping patterns, poor nutrition, less physical activity and organize our schedules worse, as well as to become involved in fewer activities that are truly satisfying for us.

This lack of stimuli, added to the possible appearance of problems derived from the above (accumulation of responsibilities, malnutrition, postural and muscular problems, lack of sleep, etc.) increases the probability of developing generalized anxiety, depression, addictions, etc.

3. Problems of coexistence

For many people, it is very hard to be constantly surrounded by the people they live with. This situation of crisis exacerbates problems of conflict management.The consequences of these conflicts can be even more negative, since it is not even possible to leave the house until the situation calms down.

On the other hand, for many parents, confinement implies having to take care of their young children 24 hours a day for several weeks at a time, as they do not go to school; all this added to a compromised work context.

4. Bereavement

It should not be forgotten that for many people, the pandemic implies the need to deal with bereavement. dealing with grief over the loss of loved ones who have not survived COVID-19, or who are in very poor condition.or who are in very poor condition.

The feelings of anguish produced by this kind of situation usually generate psychological rumination, that is, disturbing thoughts that come to our mind over and over again, and which usually end up going away in a matter of days, but which sometimes involve a real psychological crisis in the face of which it becomes necessary to go to therapy.

5. Fear of contagion

Finally, the fear of contagion is also a source of anxiety for which online therapy can be very useful. For some people, it is difficult to "disconnect" from these catastrophic thoughts according to which to lose their attention for 5 seconds could mean being infected and/or transmitting the virus to the rest of the family.

How does online therapy help in these cases?

As we have seen, emotional alterations related to anxiety are the protagonists in terms of the psychological impact of the coronavirus crisis. In the face of this, online therapy brings the following benefits.

1. It is accessible to everyone

In Western societies, virtually anyone can receive psychological treatment. without having to leave home: no matter your state of health or age, as long as you have an Internet connection and an electronic device capable of connecting to the network.

2. Helps you to schedule appointments

As the patient saves the time of traveling to the psychologist's office, it is easy to incorporate these sessions into the weekly schedule..

3. Fear of contagion is not a barrier

People suffering from the fear of contagion can count on the professional support of the psychotherapist from the safe environment of their home.

4. It allows to choose between more options

On the other hand, not being conditioned by distance, the patient can choose the psychologist he/she likes the most regardless of the kilometers that separate him/her from him/her.