{"id":5090,"date":"2021-03-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=5090"},"modified":"2021-03-11T07:46:50","modified_gmt":"2021-03-11T13:46:50","slug":"covid-collective-trauma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/covid-collective-trauma\/","title":{"rendered":"The Collective Trauma of COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Collective<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although there is hope on the horizon with the rollout of vaccines, the toll of COVID on individuals, families, and society has been high.\u00a0Because we\u2019ve been dealing with this virus for so long, our responses have changed. The term \u201ccollective trauma\u201d has been used more than once to describe what everyone is going through.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Collective trauma refers to <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“a shared experience of helplessness, disorientation, and loss among a group of people. The threatening event gives rise to a shared identification \u2014 despite the fact that the victimized individuals have different personalities and family backgrounds, different coping mechanisms and capacities for resilience.\u201d<\/p>Molly S. Castelloe, Ph.D., quoted here<\/a>.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It usually refers to an incident that is experienced by certain groups or communities. In the case of COVID-19, collective trauma is being experienced by the whole world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does that kind of trauma bring negative outcomes, but it can completely change the way a group of people operates. In some cases, it may even lead to similar symptoms of PTSD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how are most people handling this kind of trauma? First, let\u2019s look at how it\u2019s affecting everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trauma of COVID-19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As case numbers rise, there is both continued anxiety about our collective safety, and fatigue from being on restrictions for so long, and even rebellious urges to throw caution to the wind and resume normal life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the collective trauma of 911, which was sudden and acute, the collective trauma of COVID-19 is prolonged and amorphous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Social<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There has already been some serious conversations about the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19. This is based on prior research related to how people respond to isolation and feeling disconnected. Human beings are naturally social and need interaction. Everything from quarantining to social distancing has had an effect on individuals of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is more social anxiety in both kids and adults. We have been out of practice at even casual conversation that aren’t virtual. It’s as if we have forgotten how to interact with others face-t0-face. This leads to more self-consciousness about saying or doing the wrong thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collective Responses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of the similar experiences most people are going through, the responses have been collective, too. People are finding different ways to cope with the effects of this pandemic. But, those responses are similar to ways in which people might respond to PTSD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common reactions and responses include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n