Psychiatrist Ioana Silion offers online consultations on the Digital Clinics platform. Details are available here: Consult Dr. Ioana Silion
We are living in an extremely turbulent time. After the huge changes that we have had to adapt to in the two years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine has triggered new dramas, which we are watching with fear and confusion. Dr. Ioana Silion, a primary care psychiatrist who provides online consultations on the Digital Clinics platform, offers us some advice to maintain our mental balance.
“In the current context, the triggering factor is an important one, with a vital impact. Now we are no longer talking about everyday, adaptive anxiety, about the state of vigilance that prepares us and triggers coping mechanisms, useful for dealing with a situation that requires increased attention. Fear is disabling, significantly interferes with daily activities and, from a psychological point of view, takes the person out of the rhythm of functioning. Thinking is invaded by the triggering event, without being able to intervene. However, people are aware of the negative impact and psychological discomfort that fear generates, and this cannot be prevented, in the true sense of the word”, explains psychiatrist Ioana Silion.
According to the specialist, information is manipulative, images and voice intonation increase the impact of the word, and the receiving brain creates the emotion.
“This varies depending on the type of personality, previous personal experiences or the degree of anticipation of danger. When we talk about collective behavior, people tend to imitate, to aggregate in order to belong to a group. Events unfold with great speed, as we saw in other countries even if we are geographically far from the devastating events. Now, when this danger has come so close to us, when we are directly involved in the process of hosting people fleeing death, fear has taken on new meanings. On the one hand, we are impressed by the drama that they are experiencing, on the other hand, we are worried about our fate and that of our loved ones”, adds Dr. Silion.
The doctor also gave us some useful advice for this stressful and difficult period, in order to maintain our mental balance.
“We are all aware that life has an end, which we want as far away as possible. Anticipating the end only decreases our ability to defend ourselves, to fight for our own safety and paralyzes our life in anticipation. Continuing daily activities, minimizing the time spent watching TV, walking outdoors, doing sports, spending time with loved ones, enjoying life are very important in order to maintain mental balance in the times we are currently living”, concluded the doctor.
Psychiatrist Ioana Silion offers online consultations on the Digital Clinics platform. Details are available here: Consult Dr. Ioana Silion
