Deconfinement is not good news for everyone

Gradual withdrawal of the vaccine passport, reopening of restaurants and performance halls: Quebec is gradually regaining a semblance of normal life. But if this deconfinement makes many happy, it can also be a source of anxiety. After two years of pandemic and sanitary measures, it is even completely normal, insists a psychologist.

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“I feel anxious and confused. The instructions have changed so often that it’s difficult to make up your mind,” says Fannie Rochefort.

Even if she received three doses of vaccine, the Montérégienne was affected “strongly” by COVID-19 last month, which increased her fear of deconfinement.

“My brain has been conditioned for two years to take precautions, and, suddenly, nothing more”, explains the 41-year-old woman who criticizes the government of François Legault for not explaining enough to the population its decisions concerning the lifting of sanitary measures.

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Stress for the immunosuppressed

For people living with a medical condition, deconfinement brings its share of risks and fears.

“Of course, as a normal person, it’s the funbut as an immunosuppressed person, it’s stressful,” says Maude*, who has Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

If she is not too concerned about the withdrawal of the vaccine passport, she fears ending up with people who “do not pay attention”. Currently, Maude, who lives in Montreal, limits her contacts to a minimum. She doesn’t see anyone outside of work and her university classes.

But what worries him the most is the possible lifting of the wearing of the compulsory mask, in particular in universities and public transport. “We are still in an in-between, it’s too early to withdraw the measures,” she laments.

According to Public Health recommendations, an immunosuppressed person must isolate themselves for 21 days when they contract COVID-19. The impacts of a positive result would therefore be significant for Maude, who would have to put her life on hold for three weeks.

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It’s normal to be anxious

Being anxious at the idea of ​​the withdrawal of sanitary measures is completely legitimate, supports the psychologist Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier. She recalls that several people experienced stress last summer when the measures were temporarily relaxed.

“For some, it’s worrying, because it’s been two years since, in our brain, we built what was the new reality and security,” explains the psychologist.

And the rapid pace of deconfinement can accentuate this feeling.

“Not long ago, we were thinking about the COVID tax, there was a tightening during the holiday season, an expansion of the vaccine passport. There, the transition is very fast, it still gives a shock. If we don’t understand why [on allège les mesures]it can make you panic, ”she continues.

“It’s a lot of unknowns,” says Geneviève Beaulieu-Pelletier. She adds that our brain has to get used to interacting with several people at the same time.

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How do you deal with this anxiety?

The D^D Beaulieu-Pelletier suggests first recognizing that this feeling is normal, and acknowledging it to those around us.

You also have to respect your own pace. “When you feel that you are more anxious, you have to gradually get into the bath”. She recommends avoiding certain situations that could be anxiety-provoking, such as parties or concerts.

“If we are very anxious, we can start by observing what is happening around, by watching social networks or TV,” she suggests.

And if this feeling does not go away, do not hesitate to consult a specialist, even if it is just for a few weeks, in order to help the transition.

*Maude is a fictitious name, the person having requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.

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