Psychologists offer tips to beat negativity bias amid pandemic
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMMUNISATION URGED AS THE BEST BET TO CHEER UP
‘Can we please skip 2020?’ A post with these words doing the rounds on social media may seem random, but it’s a thought many relate to in the wake of the global Covid-19 outbreak.
From the constant fear of contracting the disease and the wait for a cure to the unprecedented psychological, social and economic ramifications one must contend with, an overwhelming sense of negativity has gripped the world today.
‘Negativity bias’ at work
Devika Mankani, psychologist at The Hundred Wellness Centre and the Sunmarke School, said, “The magnitude of this global event has left the world in shock. No one could have anticipated this crisis.”
She said in psychology, the term “negativity bias” is used to refer to our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily, but also to dwell on these events.
“Also known as positive-negative asymmetry, this can affect our ability to experience positivity, making it even more critical during these times to intentionally guide ourselves towards positive emotions. This is not a luxury, it is the key to mental and physical health. The pandemic has caused uncertainty which can manifest as anxiety, depression and panic for some.”
Dr Laila Mahmoud, specialist psychiatrist, Medcare Hospital Sharjah, said much of the negativity stems from the unknown.
“We have the unknown nature of the illness as it is totally new, with no proven expertise in treatment or cure. Then there’s the unknown future, how and when will all this end? The loss of jobs, dim chances of finding alternative employment, closure of some borders, disabling of flights – all these things have had a direct effect on people.”
She said people live in constant fear of contracting the illness. “There’s also the fear of stigma and quarantine... the list can go on.”
Mankani said the first thing people are responding to is the shock associated with the situation. “Many are fearful of serious illness, loss of job or income and struggling with isolation during lockdown. The outcome for each person is different depending on their circumstances. This can create a fair amount of psychological bargaining where one person compares their grief and loss to another, often feeling like they are worse off.”
Immunisation
“As the world waits for a cure or a vaccine, what we need to focus on right now is psychological immunisation which will boost our physical and psychological wellbeing,” she added.
One way to do this, according to her, is to tap into the research in the field of positive psychology to point us towards the right strategies to flourish.
Unless people make a conscious effort to rewire their thinking to stay positive, Dr Mahmoud said psychiatric issues like depression, anxiety, personality disorders like antisocial and borderline personality disorder, or even eating disorders like anorexia nervosa can set in.
“This feeling could stem from many stressors beyond one’s capacity to cope, loss of interest of life or anhedonia which is the inability to feel the pleasure of normally pleasurable activities,” she said.