HARDINESS IN THE POST-COVID PERIOD: OVERCOMING THE CONSEQUENCES OF EXPERIENCING A SENSE OF LOSS

Abstract

The article reveals the psychological characteristics of the post-COVID period, which is accompanied by loss, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, which significantly affects the physical, emotional and psychological state of each individual. It is noted that the pandemic has caused pathological grief and psychological discomfort that may accompany people for many years to come. The main aspects of the post-COVID period are the loss of a sense of stability, lack of motivation, neuropsychological disorders, various mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, as well as an increase in cases of substance abuse, disruption of social interaction, and a decrease in the overall quality of life. The article emphasizes the need to support the mental health of the population during this period and its adaptation to new living conditions. The main causes of post-COVID syndrome are revealed, the consequences of social isolation are described, and the main psychological mechanisms of post-COVID rehabilitation are presented to strengthen the resilience of the individual and restore his or her normal life. These basic psychological patterns of cognitive therapy for PTSD are aimed at rethinking and changing the individual’s attitude to loss. The main goal of this therapy is to form a new perception of loss through the realization of the meaning that was lost and the restoration of this meaning in life, emphasizing its importance in human life. This approach helps to redistribute attention, effectively overcome negative emotions, and reformulate memory images that contributed to posttraumatic stress disorder. Its main goal is to help the individual move forward with the loss instead of remaining stuck in it. Moving forward means creating a new life context that allows the person to feel integrated into their own life, rather than being in a space that is limited only by the trauma of loss. Moving forward is also characterized by the ability to find new joys in communicating with other people, as well as the ability to rethink the relationship with the deceased person, realize their impact on one’s own life, and most importantly, find ways to honor their memory. This approach helps to free a person from the fear and despair associated with loss, and it creates a sense of comfort because it does not require the person to forget about the deceased person, but rather provides an opportunity to rethink their loss in a more constructive way.