Psychoanalysis of COVID-19 Patient Narratives: A Descriptive Study.
Medicina (Kaunas)
; 59(4)2023 Apr 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2294158
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives:
COVID-19 patients are a psychologically vulnerable patient group who suffer from both physical symptoms and psychological problems. The present study is a psychoanalytic investigation of COVID-19 patients utilizing Lacan's desire theory. We aimed to explore the manner in which patients' desire is presented in their lived experience narratives and sought to discover factors which directly impacted on this process. Materials andMethods:
In-depth semi-structural interviews were conducted with 36 COVID-19 patients in China. During each interview, participants narrated their lived experiences of COVID-19 infection. Emotions, metaphors, and behaviors in patient narratives were collated as the main points for psychoanalysis.Results:
Our findings demonstrated that the desire for being a healthy person made patients emotionally sensitive to the social environment. Anxiety and obsessive behaviors emerged in the process, which reveals their desire for that which they lack. Furthermore, public fear with respect to COVID-19 was somehow converted to psychological pressure on COVID-19 patients. Thus, these patients attempted to "de-identify" their identity as "patients". Positive responses of COVID-19 patients to the external world included admiring medical personnel, government, and country, while negative responses included interpersonal conflicts or complaints about discrimination. Following the rules of the Other, COVID-19 patients were influenced by the Other's desire in constructing their own image of a healthy person.Conclusions:
This study revealed COVID-19 patients' psychological need to rid themselves of the identity of "patient" at the individual and social level. Our findings have clinical implications in helping COVID-19 patients to reshape their identity and to live a normal life.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Psychoanalysis
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Medicina59040712
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