Role of Present global situation is very demanding for all health care professionals, including psychologists. Present lecture is likely to enhance the vision of Psychologists for scientific way of intervention with the clients / people affected in their surroundings.

1. FORCES INSTITUTE OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES &
ADVANCED RESEARCH (FIBSAR)
KP ABBOTTABAD
CONTACT : Mobile: 0333 5950 315 & 0311 0376122
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists
Professor Col (R) Dr Tahir Pervez
Ex Chief Psychologists

2. Covid -19
MENTAL HEALTH HELP LINE

3. COVID-19
 CO= corona
 VI = Virus
 D= Disease
 19 =Year

4.  Present global situation is dramatically
strange for every one
 Even for mental health professionals
 Its ethical duty of all psychologists to
intervene with the people in their
surrounding
 To keep them adjusted
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

5.  So far mental health professionals are unable
to estimate the exact type and degree of un
healthy psychological Reactions
 No doubt that some degree of stress/
situational panic attack are normal, commonly
observed in response to any type of disease
/physical ailment
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

6.  However, in present scenario of COVID
following are the challenges for
psychologists to intervene:
Increase degree of Psychological distress
due to restricted activities,
Stress and frustration due to Reduction of
pleasant events and social support.
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

7.  increased hypochondria and
cyberchondria (web-induced fear &
Anxiety)
Depression,
Panic attack PTSD etc
Increased uncertainty among Individuals
 To keep Cool individuals who have been
quarantined
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

8. To make Behavioural changes to adhere and
compliance with preventive regulations
To provide Internet interventions and remote
psychological support
To develop digital tools and apps for data
based assessment in the present COVID-19
emergency
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

9. To monitor closely, time to time, the changes
in behaviour and interpersonal responses of
the individuals during COVID-19 emergency
Conduct Cross-cultural studies in response to
the present situation, at the individual, family,
and interpersonal levels
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

10. Covid -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists
 To make comfortable, those who are affected
due to present lock down situations in any
way:
Socially OR Economically
 To keep Cool who have been quarantined

11. Interview
Its the 1st step to obtain Clinical data from the
clients /affected individuals of COVID 19 of any
category;
Source of DATA:
 Client
 Referees ---- ralatives
 Doctor/ Psychiatrist etc.
COVID -19 and Intervention by
Psychologists

12. Denial
General attitude towards COVID 19 &
Psychological sufferings
No idea about psychologist and psych
issues
Illogical faith ( death is certain,...... hence
no care of lock down)
•Some Hindrance obtaining clinical DATA
-Socio -cultural issues

13.  Feel stigma----- worrying what other people
will think, ( “am I abnormal?” )
• Generally lacking rational approach for all
psychic Issues and importance of treatment
• to follow social distance
• Recognition of Psychologists in the society
( even among educated class)
Some Hindrance obtining clinical DATA
Socio -cultural issues

14. Psychiatrists are dominating (being more active and
their legal role /recognition)
Superstitious believes about mental disease
Concept of demons: evil spirit, Peers , Taweez,
Believing on Conspiracy theories regarding
COVID -19, commonly available on social mediah
(hence no care)
•Some Hindrance obtining clinical DATA
•Socio -cultural issues

15. Addressing the Following:
 Attitude of Clients ( not considering that the
disease is Pandemic
 Specific Rigidity among the youngster/ Old
age individuals hence violate rule of social
distance ( observed globally)

Intervention : Interview with client of
COVID -19

16. Addressing the Following:
 Religious extremism (observed Globally)
Gatherings for worship
 Attitudes of relatives ( don't bother the
Psychological miseries /trauma)
Intervention : Interview with client of
COVID -19

17.  Maturity of approach to intervene by
psychologist :
Psychologist must have professionally
mature
Have maximum academic knowledge
standard techniques, how to start with the
client
Intervention :
Interview with client of COVID _19

18. steps followed by psychoogist
1st interaction
Session to be recorded
 Place of sitting ??
comfortable,
No interruption
Minimal distractions
Intervention :
Interview with client

19.  Rapport Building .......most important
 Need to be dressed up simply
 Simple & Easy conversation AND
 language to interact with client
 You may move Step by step
 serial wise as per your patient history sheet
or like pendulum ??
(It depends as per situation)
Intervention :
Interview with client

20.  If person is not ready to talk, its ok, be kind
 Give him break: (long or short )
 May be interviewed his /her referees
 Try to administer psych tests to get level
/degree of the Psych issue of the client
 Never assume the psychic issue doing guess
work
 you can go a long way in assessment
Intervention :
Interview with client

21.  Speak in a relaxed and calm manner
 No hurry, no other job / or task
 Communicate in a straightforward manner
and stick to one topic/ or minor factor at a
time ?
 Client may be verbose, talkative irrelevant
 Try to keep the client on track
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

22.  Ask again same Question politely relevant to
clinical data, (if client is verbose or narrate
irrelevant details)
 Be respectful,
 Be compassionate for his /her concerns
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

23.  Be caring to CLIENT’S feelings by engaging
in reflective listening, such as:
 “ Are you feeling some strange / bad now
a days due to the present situation of
pandemic Disease / Lock Down /or being
Quartarined ?
(Don't USE psych terms
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

24. “Yes, now a days are certainly more challenging all
over the globe. I understand.”
 Ask him/ her to narrate the specific disturbing feelings
 (Psych should note down on paper ),
 OR ask to write down on papers what ever he /she
feels
 if not ,,,,
 Need to be Recorded
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

25.  Be a good listener,
 Be responsive
 Make eye contact with a caring approach
 No verbosity / superficial talks with client
 Give him /her the opportunity to talk and open
up but don’t press or force the client
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

26. You may share some easy insights to
encourage easy conversation, such as:
 comments about the weather, the economic
issues in the community due to present
Pandemic disease
Reduce his her defensiveness by sharing your
feelings and looking for common ground
Speak at a level appropriate to their age and
development level / cultural background
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

27.  Don't express strangeness
 Keep in mind that mental illness has nothing to
do with a person’s intelligence.
 Don't make client upset or confused by your
conversation
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

28. Show respect and understanding
How client describes and interpret their ideas
and symptoms
Do not use terminology / define to his ideas in
front the client
OR one’s concerns /worries apprehensions
obsessions.
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

29.  Offer your support and connect him /her to
help if you feel that one need it.
 Ask, “How can I help you?”
 Give the client hope for recovery, offer
encouragement
 try to reduce fears ( when you are assured
the level and degree
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

30. Things to Avoid Saying:
Do not express
 “Just pray about it.”
 “You just need to change you’re attitude.”
 “Stop your concerns on the negative, you
should just start living.”
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

31. Things to Avoid Doing:
 Criticizing /blaming
 Do not Show any form of hostility or cultural /Ethnical
biases
 NO raising of your voice at client
 No talking too much, too fast, too loudly
 Silence and pauses are ok
 During session: note him/her, anxiety, body language,
etc.
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

32. Things to Avoid Doing:
 Don't make Assumptions & hasty & jumping
to the conclusions
 However, u can make hypothesis on the
basis of all clinical data ????? to Develop
your assumptions and diagnosis
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

33. Things to Avoid Doing:
 Avoid to sarcastic/critical or making jokes about the
client’ condition.
 Don't Patronizing them or saying anything arrogantly
 Avoid transference
 So All your Clinical data should be valid to move
further FOR THERPEUTIC INTERVENTION
Intervention :
Interview with client COVID -19

34. 
Thanks
FORCES INSTITUTE OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES &
ADVANCED RESEARCH (FIBSAR)
Old CSD Complex Opposite to Station Library Abbottabad
CONTACT :
Mobile: 0333 5950 315 & 0311 0376122