I’m a hypnotherapist and psychoanalyst in private practice here at the Surrey Hypnotherapy clinic, in the Woking and Guildford area of Surrey, UK.

A sudden illness such as COVID-19, can be a traumatic experience which can upset and distress us. The experience of COVID-19 intubation, can be scary, frightening and traumatic for all involved.

Traumatic events can arouse powerful and disturbing feelings in us which, for some people, will settle in time, without any professional help. However, for some other people such a severe trauma might well have long lasting effects for which professional help may be needed to overcome the effects..

If you or a loved one have been through a traumatic experience such as COVID-19 you may want to understand more about how you are feeling.

A traumatic event occurs when a person is in a situation where there is a risk of harm or danger to themselves or other people. Situations like this are usually frightening or cause a lot of stress. In such situations, people often feel helpless and overwhelmed.

Examples of traumatic events include:

• Serious accidents or incidents;
• Sudden loss or death of a loved one;
• Being told you have a potentially life-threatening illness.

Immediately after a traumatic event, it is common for people to feel shocked, or numb, or unable to accept what has happened or cut off from what is going on around you. When in denial, you can't accept that it has happened, so you behave as though it hasn't.

Other people may think that you are being strong or that you don't care about what has happened. Over several hours or days, the feelings of shock and denial gradually fade, and other thoughts and feelings take their place.

People react differently and take different amounts of time to come to terms with what has happened. Even so, you may be surprised by the strength of your feelings. 

If you or a loved one has been through the trauma stirred up by COVID-19 it is quite possible that you may be experiencing one or more of the following psychological symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Low Mood, or Depression;
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Re-experiencing the trauma through vivid and distressing memories or dreams;
  • Avoiding situations that remind them of the traumatic event;
  • Feeking numb as though they don't have the same range of feelings as normal;
  • Being in a state of 'alertness' - watching out for danger.
• Brain Fog
  • Feeling like your head is cloudy or foggy
  • A general lack of mental clarity
  • A sense of detachment from what is going on in the present moment
  • You might feel emotional quickly
  • You may feel like you have to work really hard to process everyday tasks or think of a simple plan in relation to everyday life.
  • Have difficulty concentrating on the task in hand
  • You feel as if your mind constantly wonders making it difficult to concentrate or focus on what you are doing.
  • You might be forgetful regarding simple tasks like taking your keys with you when you go out.

And even if you and your loved ones don't directly contract COVID-19 the effect of social distancing, lockdowns, shielding and a barrage of TV news reports can lead to:

• Feelings of Fear, Social Isolation and Uncertainty;
• Anxiety;
• Stress;
• Irritability;
• Depression

These  symptoms may arise because the trauma may have stirred up thoughts and feelings that are affecting you or your loved one psychologically.

Family and friends may be able to see you through this difficult time. Many people find that the feelings that they experience after a traumatic event gradually reduce after about a month. However, you may need to see a professional if your feelings are too much for you, or go on for too long (typically beyond 4-5 weeks after the traumatic event).

You should probably ask for professional help from myself if, 4-5 weeks after the traumatic event:

• You, or your loved one, have no one to share your feelings with;
• You, or your loved one, can't handle your feelings and feel overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety, or nervousness;
• You, or your loved one, feel that you are not returning to normal after you have physically recovered;
• You, or your loved one, have nightmares and cannot sleep;
• You, or your loved one, are getting on badly with those close to you;
• You, or your loved one, stay away from other people more and more;
• Your work, or your loved one's work, is suffering;
• Other friends, family or work colleagues, suggest that professional help should be sought;.
• You, or your loved one, are having accidents;
• You, or your loved one, are drinking or smoking too much, or using drugs to cope with your feelings.

The therapy that I specialise in is similar to the traditional, and established, psychoanalysis type therapy that you may have heard of, where you effectively lie on a couch with your eyes closed, speaking out your thoughts to me, your therapist

If you or a loved one has been through the trauma stirred up by COVID-19 it is quite possible that you may be experiencing one or more of the following psychological symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Low Mood, or Depression;
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Re-experiencing the trauma through vivid and distressing memories or dreams;
  • Avoiding situations that remind them of the traumatic event;
  • Feeking numb as though they don't have the same range of feelings as normal;
  • Being in a state of 'alertness' - watching out for danger.
• Brain Fog
  • Feeling like your head is cloudy or foggy
  • A general lack of mental clarity
  • A sense of detachment from what is going on in the present moment
  • You might feel emotional quickly
  • You may feel like you have to work really hard to process everyday tasks or think of a simple plan in relation to everyday life.
  • Have difficulty concentrating on the task in hand
  • You feel as if your mind constantly wonders making it difficult to concentrate or focus on what you are doing.
  • You might be forgetful regarding simple tasks like taking your keys with you when you go out.

And even if you don't contract COVID-19 yourself the effect of social distancing, lockdowns, shielding and a barrage of TV news reports can lead to:

• Feelings of Fear, Social Isolation and Uncertainty;
• Anxiety;
• Stress;
• Irritability;
• Depression

These  symptoms may arise because the trauma may have stirred up thoughts and feelings that are affecting you or your loved one psychologically.

Family and friends may be able to see you through this difficult time. Many people find that the feelings that they experience after a traumatic event gradually reduce after about a month. However, you may need to see a professional if your feelings are too much for you, or go on for too long (typically beyond 4-5 weeks after the traumatic event).

You should probably ask for professional help from myself if, 4-5 weeks after the traumatic event:

• You, or your loved one, have no one to share your feelings with;
• You, or your loved one, can't handle your feelings and feel overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety, or
• nervousness;
• You, or your loved one, feel that you are not returning to normal after you have physically
• recovered;
• You, or your loved one, have nightmares and cannot sleep;
• You, or your loved one, are getting on badly with those close to you;
• You, or your loved one, stay away from other people more and more;
• Your work, or your loved one's work, is suffering;
• Other friends, family or work colleagues, suggest that professional help should be sought;.
• You, or your loved one, are having accidents;
• You, or your loved one, are drinking or smoking too much, or using drugs to cope with your
• feelings.

The therapy that I specialise in is similar to the traditional, and established, psychoanalysis type therapy that you may have heard of, where you effectively lie on a couch with your eyes closed, speaking out your thoughts to me, your therapist