"What’s going on psychologically in this crisis? Stir-craziness. Cabin fever. People have been denied their sense of purpose. They also have lost their sense of choice." #QotD

"From the perspective of a mental health professional who still counsels people every day: What’s going on psychologically in this crisis?
    "Stir-craziness. Cabin fever. People have been denied their sense of purpose.
    "They also have lost their sense of choice.
    "If the authorities hadn’t wiped out virtually ALL options, people would be able to make cost-benefit analyses, case by case. 'Should I skip this activity, or not?' We have lost the right or the ability to use our minds in this way. Psychologically, we are already in a state of martial law. Suddenly we all find ourselves living in something like a totalitarian regime. The food is still on the shelves and hospitals are still open (thankfully) … and we have the Internet. But that’s pretty much it.
    "This is all a shock to the psychological system.
    "What sustains most people right now is a sense that this is only temporary. But it’s also mixed with a lot of anxiety. People sense the contradictions, fear and uncertainty in our 'leaders'.... In a sense, we’re in the state of young children, who perhaps do not understand but sense the errors, contradictions and evasions of their elders. It’s not a good place for a child psychologically, and it’s not good for adults, either ...
    "With choice and personal destiny completely removed from daily life, the psychological status of [people] will not improve.... Either those symptoms of mood and anxiety disorder will worsen in most people, or at some point many will start to get angry. Anger is healthy, but it has to be channeled toward a rational demand at restoring what was lost. We have lost our freedom. It’s rational to be angry and frustrated over that. We have lost our way of life. It’s far deeper than politics and government, although those areas are relevant, of course.
    "It has to do with whether you believe you control your destiny, or you’re totally powerless over it. If you fall into (and stay in) the powerless mindset, you will lose. You will have given up, at which point your political freedom won’t matter much."

~ Dr Michael Hurd, clinical psychologist, from his post 'The Psychological Impact of Lockdowns'
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