Los Angeles, April 3 (AFP/APP): The coronavirus pandemic has plunged the world into uncharted territory, leaving people feeling helpless in the face of an invisible threat of unknown duration that could infect any of us. With uncertainty surrounding the outbreak deepening the economic, social and health care crisis, an army of therapists is helping people cope with the brutal psychological fallout. “People are experiencing very high levels of anxiety,” Sonya Lott, a Philadelphia-based psychologist who specializes in grief counseling, told AFP. “It’s the fear of the unknown as we’ve never had a situation like this before.” She said Americans, like other people worldwide, are grieving profound loss on many levels as the pandemic continues its relentless deadly march around the globe. “The only thing that we’ve experienced in America that’s come close to this pandemic is 9/11,” Lott said. “And even then, we could run home and be together and hug each other. Now, even when we are home we shouldn’t be hugging.” Holly Daniels, managing director of clinical affairs for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, says there has been a surge in people seeking help. There has also been an increase in the number of calls … Continue reading The new 9/11: coronavirus and a looming mental health disaster