B.C. Clinical Counsellor: To Combat COVID-19, Behavioral Pitfalls Must be Addressed

LANGLEY, British Columbia - May 8, 2020 - PRLog -- There are a number of common biases that challenge sound judgments during times of crisis. Following the strong reactions to such a difficult time, Michael Dadson, a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Langley, B.C., advises that awareness of judgmental pitfalls might help ensure things stay on the right path.

"During any crisis, timely, and sometimes life-altering, decisions must be made, requiring an extreme amount of sound judgment under uncertainty."

Anxiety and the Fear of the Unknown

Anxiety is fear of the unknown; Michael Dadson has observed that the brain and body are often caught up in feelings of tension, or a sense of apprehension that keeps the mind locked into a cycle of excessive worry, anticipation and panic.

Dadson's advice: The initial mystery of threats like COVID-19 soon fades away. Repeated reminders linked to the situation are important to avoid complacency.

Personal Embarrassment

Michael Dadson suggests that the purpose of embarrassment is to make people feel bad about their mistakes as a form of internal (or societal) feedback, so that they learn not to repeat the error. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, people have been encouraged to engage in certain behaviors, like not touching their faces. Some may see lapses as a personal failure and may dwell on these in unhealthy ways.

Michael Dadson's clinical counselling experience suggests that highlighting a popular public figure's shortcomings may help when it comes to coping with personal embarrassment; for example, pointing out one of many celebrities who have tested positive as a way of mitigating the stigma.

Invisible Diseases

The coronavirus pandemic poses a particular threat for those with invisible illnesses — chronic illnesses or conditions that aren't always obvious to other people but make navigating day-to-day life a challenge. Many who live with an invisible illness rely on the availability of doctors and social activities to make their lives as normal as possible. With people practicing social distancing, the physical and emotional health of invisible illness sufferers could be in jeopardy.

Michael Dadson suggests that increased mental health care and communication supportive of a healthy home environment are necessary for the wellbeing of these people.

Dr. Michael Dadson
Senior Clinical Director of Practice, Gentle Currents Therapy
Langley, B.C.

Michael Dadson's Bio (https://michaeldadson.com/)
Michael Dadson's Website (https://gentlecurrentstherapy.com/)

Expertise:

Specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression, Michael Dadson, Ph.D., is a registered clinical counsellor and Senior Clinical Director of Practice at Gentle Currents Therapy, a Langley, B.C.-based counselling clinic.

Contact Registered Clinical Counsellor Michael Dadson today for information, advice, and insights on COVID-19 mental health implications, risks, community response, and talking to children.