#105 - Paul Conti, M.D.: The psychological toll of a pandemic, and the societal problems it has highlighted

Apr 10, 2020 1h 26m 14 insights

In this episode, psychiatrist Paul Conti, M.D. discusses the impact of the fear and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stress, anxiety, and trauma it may impart on the population. Paul examines how this situation has highlighted the challenges we face at the societal level as well as the individual level, and stresses the importance of seeking absolute truth above personal truth and taking action as individuals as a means to combat many of these pervasive problems. We discuss: <ul> <li>Paul's personal experience with a presumptive case of COVID-19 [2:15]; </li> <li>Through the lens of trauma, Paul's overall take on the lasting effects of this pandemic on society [4:30]; </li> <li>The imperative to unite as a species given the isolating and suspicious nature of an invisible enemy [8:15]; </li> <li>The indigent population and the affluent population—The commonalities and differences in how both populations have been affected [16:15]; </li> <li>The prevailing feeling of demoralization spanning the population [25:30]; </li> <li>Health care workers—What lingering psychological effects might they suffer from this? [35:00]; </li> <li>Could this pandemic be a catalyst for changing the way people think about science, truth, and logic? [46:30]; </li> <li>How our inability to deal with uncertainty exacerbates the problem, and the need for humility [58:00]; </li> <li>What has been Paul's recipe for self care during this time? [1:06:45]; </li> <li>The forthcoming challenge of reintegrating back into the world when the quarantines lift [1:14:45]; </li> <li>An urgent need for change which must come through individuals seeking absolute truth and taking action [1:19:15]; and </li> <li>More.</li> </ul> Learn more: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/">https://peterattiamd.com/</a> Show notes page for this episode: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/paulconti2">https://peterattiamd.com/paulconti2</a> Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/">https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/</a> Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/">https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/</a> Connect with Peter on <a href="http://Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD">Faceboo</a>k | <a href="http://Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD">Instagram</a>.

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Actionable Insights

1. Distinguish Truth Types

Consciously differentiate between absolute (logical, scientific) truths and personal (emotional, subjective) truths, striving to prioritize logic and absolute truth in critical decision-making. This helps prevent emotional biases from distorting reality.

2. Embrace “I Don’t Know”

Embrace the phrase “I don’t know” with humility, recognizing that it fosters caution, collaboration, and progress, rather than shame or the need to declare false certainty.

3. Separate Emotion from Logic

Consciously separate personal trauma, anger, shame, and frustration from the pursuit of logical truth to prevent emotional responses from distorting objective reality and hindering effective decision-making.

4. Understand Predictable Outcomes

Adopt the mental model that current societal problems and personal struggles are often predictable outcomes of past decisions and actions, rather than being surprised by the 20th step after 19 steps down a path.

5. Prioritize Core Relationships

Focus on the “lowest common denominator” of what truly matters, such as care and concern for loved ones, as this provides a sense of peace and works against trauma and demoralization.

6. Engage in Simple Activities

Engage in simple, real, and connected activities with loved ones (e.g., playing with children) to find peace and counteract trauma and demoralization, as these moments are tangible and meaningful.

7. Cultivate Generative Pursuits

Fulfill fundamental human needs for love and generative activities, which can include nurturing relationships, pets, gardens, or creative pursuits (e.g., making a poem), as these contribute to well-being and meaning.

8. Recognize Shared Humanity

When confronted with widespread suffering, recognize shared humanity across all affected people, rather than searching for an enemy or allowing xenophobia and racism to take hold.

9. Resist Blame Culture

Avoid “middle school playground” reactions like blaming others or denying personal responsibility for collective problems, and resist the urge to self-indulge in identifying enemies, especially when influenced by media and social media.

10. Acknowledge Collective Trauma

Acknowledge and validate collective trauma, both personally and societally, and commit to making systemic changes rather than pretending everything is okay, as unacknowledged trauma festers and leads to negative outcomes.

11. Form Alliance of Common Sense

Form or join an “alliance of common sense” by prioritizing truth and objective facts over personal interests or emotional biases, especially in public discourse, to collectively address societal problems.

12. Take Unpalatable Action

Be willing to take “unpalatable” actions, such as challenging the status quo or engaging in difficult, politically charged discussions, to bring about necessary systemic change, even if it draws personal animosity.

13. Cultivate Humble Leadership

Cultivate leadership that stems from humility and the willingness to guide people through difficult, unpalatable actions required for genuine change, rather than leadership based on hubris or false certainty.

14. Combat Misinformation

Develop and hone personal and societal “control mechanisms” to manage emotional responses and prevent misinformation from spreading, by seeking out and supporting arbiters of truth outside of political influence.