The crownophobia grows: "Two years ago I didn't kiss my parents for fear of infection"
"I don't disinfect the purchase anymore, nor do I make my parents change clothes when I come home, but two years later, I still disinfect the mobile every time I get home, change clothes and wash it, use gel and wash myselfHands if I play something that I think has been in contact with the virus.I do not go to the cinema, nor to theaters nor do I interact with friendships...".
Laura (fictional name, since she prefers to stay in anonymity) is a 35 -year -old girl who is professionally dedicated to the administration sector and, as she explains, she is not the same person who was before the pandemic.Two years ago he does not kiss or hugs his parents, and recognizes that suffering is very great.His case is that of someone who suffers crownophobia: the extreme fear of being infected by the COVID-19.
Laura explains that he got him to telework because due to fear he had the uncontrolled digestive system.Now he indicates that he is calmer, but he cannot make his planned plans: "I dare not look for another job, as I had projected before the pandemic, in case I have to go in person".
The work aspect is not the only one of his life that has been affected: "The most serious thing has happened to me with my partner.My excessive fear and control to try to avoid infection (change of clothing when reaching home, gel use, shower, disinfection of surfaces, antigen tests, etc..) has made the relationship suffer a lot of wear for anguish and anxiety, and has ended up breaking ".
Laura works to overcome this situation with psychological help and acknowledges that she has advanced in some aspects, but continues to fight.
Psychologist Silvia Vidal explains that people suffering from this phobia associate the spread of COVID-19 with serious symptoms, income at the ICU and even death.All this despite being vaccinated or listening to the health or scientists in the media who explain that only a percentage of those affected reach that end -due to the omicron variant -however, they cannot avoid considering that it will beThey who occur to them.So much that your daily and personal life is affected.
In that sense, Vidal explains that it is difficult to make a cognitive restructuring and work the phobia: "One of the main mechanisms to overcome phobias is exposure therapy.Ideally, little by little they were exposed to situations with responsibility and mask, but the fear of infection and its symptoms is so high, that it is very difficult for them ".
Obsessive behaviors
Those who suffer crownophobia can have obsessive behaviors such as washing their hands, disinfecting surfaces, washing clothes or performing many diagnostic tests."With excessive concern anxiety appears: chest pain, throat knot, gut or head pain...Symptoms that resemble those of the virus, so these people may think that they have infected and anxiety increases, "argues the psychologist.
The professional explains that it is very important that those who suffer from this irrational fear feel understood and do not feel alone or court.It is a fear that is not "normalized" and it is common for them to be ashamed, do not want to tell it and think that they are the only ones who suffer it, but it is more common than it seems, he says.There may be risk factors, such as previous episodes of anxiety, extreme fear of death and disease, or lack of uncertainty tolerance.But anyone can develop the crownophobia.This panic to the covid or even death by the virus, explains Vidal, generates anxiety: "They have a lot of anguish due to the constant uncertainty of whether or not they will have contracted or not the virus".All this, added to the isolation to which they submit, also leads them to sadness and "you can reduce both physical and mental health".
There are also less serious cases among older people, vaccinated and without previous pathologies, but they fear that COVID will affect them and be that percentage of people who go to the ICU or die."People who could before be very active, practice sports, perform leisure activities such as going to classes, go to classes..."He adds, but that after the irruption of the pandemic they have limited their exits.People who, for example, do not go to the supermarket and make the purchase at home."His mental and physical health can be seen, because they realize that they are so afraid that they are not living and life is happening to them," says the psychologist.
According to the survey 'Conditions and Health and Health after a year of Pandemia', of the Workers' Commissions Union (CC.Oo.), which compares results of the last two years, the current concern for infecting COVID-19 at work is 67%, a figure practically similar to that of the year 2020 (68%) even though the percentageof people who claim to have worked without adequate protection measures have been drastically reduced.Those who claim to work without appropriate measures correspond to sectors such as hospitality, public transport drivers, supermarket personnel or food stores.The fear of infecting nearby people has fallen more than 7%, and is now 64.9%.
From CC.Oo.They explain that they have received consultations in this regard, especially at the beginning of the pandemic.Luis Clarimón, from the CC Occupational Health Section. Oo., explains that as it is a phobia, it is considered a common disease: "It is considered a common disease and it must be treated by the public health system.It is not considered a professional illness, unless demonstrated before a judge who has been given by working conditions ".
Clarimón states that there are cases of young people who are completely terrified and is not a matter of job absenteeism."We recommend that companies carry out a psychosocial risk assessment, with a scientific method and to take measures to solve it," says the union representative.
