Psychological First Aid for patients with COVID19

Community Psychiatry Service

Department of Psychiatry PGIMER Chandigarh
Face COVID19 with facts not fear

• COVID19 is a viral illness which is now a pandemic

• It is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV 2
• This virus is highly infectious, producing sickness in many people in a short time by a chain-
reaction like process
• There is no specific medical cure or vaccine as of now, but most previously healthy people will
have a mild, self-resolving illness
• The problems you may have heard of in other countries are due to many more patients than
hospitals can handle at one time
• The best way to handle this pandemic is to prevent the creation of new patients so that
hospitals can handle existing patients better

Why are you in isolation/quarantine

• You are suspected/have been diagnosed with COVID19

• SARS-CoV 2 is highly infectious and each new infection sets off a chain reaction of new patients
• You are in isolation to prevent you from encountering others who may get infected in turn
• By accepting quarantine, you are doing a great service to your loved ones and your community
• Your treating doctor can tell you how long the quarantine may last

Anticipate your emotional reactions, handle it better

• Unpleasant emotions usually follow a predictable course when faced with a stressful situation
o Initial disbelief
o Anger at self and the person you may have contracted the infection from
o Worry about all the things you think will not function without you around
o Guilt about having brought this upon yourself and your family
o Feelings of sadness and anxiety
• All these emotions are normal and occur in varying quantities in almost everyone
• These will resolve on their own within a few days and leave you calmer
• If you feel these to be unbearable, tell your doctor about it

What can you do?

• Cooperate with your doctors/ staff, they are all trying their best to help you
• Eat healthy
• Sleep adequately (6-8 hours)
• Do moderate exercise if possible
• If you believe in God or a higher power, praying may be helpful
 Psychological First Aid for patients with COVID19
Community Psychiatry Service
Department of Psychiatry PGIMER Chandigarh
If you are feeling stressed, you can practice the breathing exercise steps as given below:
• Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed and back reasonably straight
• Bring your attention to your breathing
• Put your hand on your abdomen and feel it rising with each in-breath and falling with each
out-breath
• You will get many thoughts in your mind; that is Ok. Because that is what human mind does.
Simply notice those thoughts, feel those drifting away and then bring your attention back to
your breathing.
• You may also notice sounds, physical feelings and emotions and again, just bring your
attention back to your breathing
• Don’t judge yourself for having them, don’t analyse them and don’t follow those thoughts or
feelings. It is okay for the thoughts to be there.
• With each exhaled breath, imagine that the ‘stress’ in your head/ body is flowing out with
each breath and is leaving your mind free of stress
• Feel the light-headedness in your head with each out-breath
• Repeat the above steps multiple times and continue it for 15 minutes
• Do this exercise at least twice a day or as and when anxiety / stress feels overwhelming