There was already plenty to worry about before: the state of the economy, the cost of living, climate change. All this made us fret about the future – but the coronavirus pandemic has ramped up feelings of uncertainty to the max.
We’re confronted with things we never imagined – being in lockdown in our homes, the closure of schools, universities and businesses, the economy teetering on the brink of collapse.
Life has never felt more uncertain and neuroscientists will tell you uncertainty is an even more stressful state to be in than actually knowing something bad will happen.
In a study done at University College London, researchers discovered that participants who knew for sure they’d receive a painful electric shock felt calmer and less agitated than those who were told they had a 50% chance of being shocked.
The human brain isn’t wired to tolerate uncertainty, but it’s wired to be alert to a threat. “If your brain doesn’t know what’s around the corner, it can’t keep you out of harm’s way,” US-based psychotherapist Bryan Robinson explains.
“It always assumes the worst, over personalized threats and jumps to conclusions. Your brain will do almost anything for the sake of certainty.
“And you’re hard-wired to overestimate threats and underestimate your ability to handle them – all in the name of survival.”
So if you’re feeling pandemic panic, it’s only natural, says Melissa Ferreira, a Cape Town-based educational psychologist.
This story is from the 16 April 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 16 April 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'I'M BACK!'
ACK!’ Scandal after scandal hits Jacob Zuma, yet nothing ever brings him down. Now he’s plotting his return to parliament and he’s hinted he has his heart set on another term as president
A BRAIN YOU CAN COUNT ON
Meet Aaryan Shukla, the 13-year-old from India whos just been crowned the worlds fastest human calculator
FUN WHILE IT LASTED
It's all over for oddball couple Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
THE TEEN MACHINE!
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has set the footballing world alight with his dazzling displays
A BETTER LIFE FOR ELIJAH
A rare condition means this little boy can't bend his arms and legs, but his parents are doing everything they can to give him a normal life
A DOCTOR'S JOURNEY
He chose to do one of the toughest jobs in medicine: looking after children who were dying. In this moving extract from his memoir, Cape Town paediatrician Alastair McAlpine reveals how, with wisdom and humour, sick kids taught him crucial lessons that changed his approach to life
'SA WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME'
Cindy Nell-Roberts is starting a new lite Down Under with her family. She tells YOU about the chaotic but happy p ansliepent why shes missing home
HOW TO SPOT A NARCISSIST
They often look like the most confident person in the room, but narcissists are insecure and desperate for validation, says a new book
DEFIANT TO THE END
He went from star athlete to Hollywood hero and ended up a reviled criminal but OJ Simpson remained unapologetic
BRING IT ON TAMMY!
Peet and Mel Viljoen arent going to let threats deter them from their fabulous life