The fear of being infected by a virus brings back to us well-established and natural fears. In the case of the coronavirus, by the simple fact of relaying a lot of information, the media multiplies the anxiety. This is sometimes manifested by irrational behavior, as evidenced by the leaked videos showing Asian people rejected in public places.
The question
Is it normal to be afraid of coronavirus, and how does it affect our social and intimate relationships?
Catherine Blanc’s response
Fear is what allows us to defend ourselves. It forces us to overcome our weakness and our frailty as long as it is not paralyzing. Where the epidemic is disabling in our relationships is that the recommendations for physical distance are rather contrary to our culture. This forced removal must allow us to refocus on ourselves and imagine our future relationships.
Is fear a common phenomenon?
In the psycho-emotional development of the individual, there are phases of fusion and phases of distancing others. This is observed in the child, especially in his relationship to his mother: while he could not move away from it, at one point a sort of “paranoid” is triggered which leads to rejection. The fear of the stranger is what it can transform in me, it is also this feeling which is at the origin of xenophobia … and hypochondria. According to this reasoning, the coronavirus therefore boosts our ability to distance foreigners.
Does the absence of physical contact affect our social relationships?
In France, our culture is more one of proximity: it is important to greet by shaking hands or kissing. In fact, the impossibility of performing these gestures leaves us speechless and gives rise to a form of aggression. If we don’t touch each other, we implicitly say “I’m dangerous” or “I’m afraid of you”. Ways must be found to combat this form of mistrust.
Does this ambient psychosis have an impact on sexuality?
For some, it will have positive consequences. This will be an opportunity to reaffirm his confidence in his partner: “You are the person I do not fear.” On the contrary, it can accentuate the withdrawal. You should know that in the human psyche, there is a confusion between the act of procreation and contamination.
What to do during this period of forced removal?
If you love kissing, you’ll have to wait. But this period is also an opportunity to invent other things and to project ourselves into a future where expressions of sweetness will once again be the norm.
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