Filipinos now on 'disillusionment phase' amid COVID-19 pandemic, says doctor

Filipinos are now experiencing a point of emotional low after four months of dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In an episode of "Quarantined with Howie Severino," Dr. Gia Sison said the uncertainty surrounding the health crisis is affecting the public's mental health.

"We are at the disillusionment phase," she said. "Nandiyan na lumalabas 'yung triggers like loss of jobs, sa financial security, spike in case."

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), disillusionment is the fifth phase of disaster characterized by discouragement and negative reactions.

READ: COVID-19 to have ‘profound’ mental health fallout, experts say

The first phase, the pre-disaster phase, is characterized by feelings of fear and vulnerability. It is followed by the impact phase, which is characterized by shock, confusion, or disbelief.

After that, emotions start running high again in the heroic phase and the honeymoon phase, which are characterized by a sense of altruism and optimism.

But it all comes crashing down in the disillusionment phase, when people start to "realize the limits of disaster assistance."

One example of this is donor fatigue.

"At first ang daming nagdo-donate, ang daming willing mag-shell out," Sison said. "But we have to realize that tao rin 'yung nagdo-donate and that now nade-deplete rin ang resources."

According to SAMHSA, the disillusionment phase may take months or even years and can be prolonged by trigger events.

The sixth and final phase is reconstruction, which is characterized by "an overall feeling of recovery." This is when people start adjusting to the "new normal."

READ: Fighting fear and depression amid COVID-19

With reconstruction likely over a year away, however, Sison said it is important for everyone to find a way to cope with the stress and practice self-care.

"I think having a support group is very important. You don't have to talk about the disaster in itself, the pandemic, but you can just talk about how you feel," she said.

She also said that physical distancing does not mean losing our social connection with other people.

"That's where technology comes in," she said. "A phone call, a text, reaching out to a colleague or friends, saying, asking, 'How are you?' That's actually very powerful."

Sison said that it is crucial to be properly informed about the situation in order to feel in control and mitigate the feeling of uncertainty.

Learning to live with the risk of getting sick will also help as the economy reopens even without a treatment or vaccine against the virus.

"That's part of it. Accepting the current situation but not losing sight of the hope that's in front of us. Because let's face it, this may take some time, but this too shall pass," she said. —MGP, GMA News