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. 2020;50(4):251-263.
doi: 10.1007/s10879-020-09463-7. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

The Nature and Treatment of Pandemic-Related Psychological Distress

William C Sanderson  1 , Vinushini Arunagiri #  1 , Allison P Funk #  1 , Karen L Ginsburg #  1 , Jacqueline K Krychiw #  1 , Anne R Limowski #  1 , Olenka S Olesnycky #  1 , Zoe Stout #  1
Affiliations

The Nature and Treatment of Pandemic-Related Psychological Distress

William C Sanderson et al. J Contemp Psychother. 2020.

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has created a "mental health pandemic" throughout the world. Scientific data are not available to fully understand the nature of the resulting mental health impact given the very recent onset of the pandemic, nevertheless, there is a need to act immediately to develop psychotherapeutic strategies that may alleviate pandemic-related distress. The psychological distress, in particular fear and sadness, is a function of the pandemic's negative impact upon people's ability to meet their most basic needs (e.g., physical safety, financial security, social connection, participation in meaningful activities). This paper presents evidence-based cognitive behavioral strategies that should prove useful in reducing the emotional suffering associated with the COVID crisis.

Keywords: COVID-related psychological distress; Pandemic; Psychological intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declared that they have no conflict of interest.

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