Editorial introduction: Psychoanalytical perspectives on the COVID‐19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives during the last year dramatically and in a totally unexpected way. For months now, we've been constantly confronted with an elusive mortal threat. In some countries, virus continues to spread at alarming rate, for example India, where (at this writing, May 2, 2021) more than 400,000 people are infected every day. other such as United States, which suffered most deaths so far (over 568,000), thanks vaccinations, now progressing well, false sense of security that one can return prepandemic life is growing, creating new risks. example, virologists warn vehemently newly emerging mutations populations have not yet vaccinated, Third World, could then globally again also reinfect those who already vaccinated. difficult truth person all over world only save degree everyone whole globe safe. Or, public health professionals say “until us safe, none us.” countries like Brazil, 320,000 died, misery reached proportions psychoanalytic society even decided publish Open Letter Population April 2021. Brazilian Federation Psychoanalysis (FEBRAPSI) would publicly express its apprehension perplexity view epidemiological disaster due lack control COVID-19. We situation risk helplessness, whether catching disease or becoming psychically ill, result frightening experience seeing family, friends, strangers succumbing coronavirus infection. scenario hunger, poverty, domestic violence, ailments existed country aggravated. Even less dramatic Germany, terrible face. third wave pandemic, incidence rates children higher adults looming tragedy putting their parents' danger. Also respects, things we take granted everyday shaken up completely: no longer easily go school, sports clubs, music lessons; adolescents hardly meet peers, let alone parties "hang out" park, discos, pubs. forced limit social contacts, professionally, personally, leisure activities. Social inequality worsened. gap between rich poor, privileged unprivileged continuously widening: family small living big house garden obviously copes much better restrictions long lockdown migrant background several three-room apartment. Evidence shows number depressive disorders psychosomatic mental illnesses increased. media, there many reports violence sexual assaults, especially on women increasing frequency. abyss human psyche cruelly brought surface. societal consequences enormous visible iceberg peaks: capacity intensive care beds medical units determine measures, become powerful experts media politics, jobs threatened, international supply chains collapse, economic assessable. Moreover, border trolls being reintroduced European idea seems rapidly be swept away, predatory capitalism States totalistic systems China Russia proving clearly superior slower, deliberate democracies EU, least terms procuring vaccine doses own populations. And yes—the tensions societies, splitting fragmentation, susceptibilities populistic nationalistic seductions worldwide unmistakable. Psychoanalytic practice affected by well: if patients brief bodily exchange, welcome greeting farewell, safe setting was absolutely crucial, it precisely these embodied interactions ensuring one´s self vis-à-vis new, intangible controversies about remote analysis, going years characterized high ambivalences argument, had abruptly wiped away: treatment video telephone often responsible means older analysts, belong groups, continue particularly vulnerable patients. As individual emergencies, action comes first—reflection later. This serious careful research effects patients, ourselves, individuals, large groups. well known, genuinely research, depend application specific instrument protected space, usually within setting, (see e.g., Leuzinger-Bohleber, 2015). sense, psychoanalytical clinical conscious unconscious functioning will occupy come. Should psychoanalysts therefore hold back contributions consequences? Is danger current statements context unserious "snapshots" undermine scientific potential psychoanalysis? Are they reminiscent "wild interpretations," indicators defense one's powerlessness insufficiency face complexity careful, self-critical research? On hand, gloomy think famous quote German writer Hölderlin: “Wo aber Gefahr ist, wächst das Rettende auch…” ("But danger, saving grows"). It impressive how initiatives came from world, made knowledge available victims helpers clinics, services, schools, sometimes completely ways. Many conceptual individual, group, collective responses disasters traumatic events into public, scientific, interdisciplinary discourses. Special Issue, report initiatives. authors agree thoughts, findings, theoretical considerations very preliminary point. us, important keep mind commitments work current, complex topic, quite controversial community. There few institutions regard "psychoanalytic activism" highly suspect. question form should get involved social, political, actions old psychoanalysis around political Wilhelm Reich). How “activism” reconciled professional neutrality analyst? Don't destroy white screen project fantasies conflicts? Doesn't cloud clear mirror"? analysts present themselves so-called "do-gooders" (“Gutmenschen”) when stand justice thus make processing analyzing aggressive-destructive impulses transference/countertransference difficult? Do satisfy problematic exhibitionistic pathological narcissistic needs through commitment? director Sigmund-Freud-Institute (SFI) Frankfurt a.M. 2001 2016 I (MLB) questions years. SFI history respect “psychoanalytic activists” closely connected reappraisal National Socialism. Alexander Mitscherlich, first founded 1960, official observer Nuremberg trials investigating crimes physicians Holocaust. He wrote book, Medicine without humanity (1947) (co-author: Fred Mielke), he described detail unimaginable doctors extermination camps. Because this, became persona non grata Germany 1950s never received chair full professor faculties. 1956, organized series lectures celebrating Freud´s 100th birthday Jewish emigrated, time. Prime Minister Zinn State Hessen listeners realized psychoanalysis, "Jewish science," destroyed Socialists state, therefore, offer gesture reconsolidation psychoanalysis. insight, Sigmund Freud Institute 1960. supported Research included Faculty Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, others. developed largest training institute contributed significantly bringing Germany. Mitscherlich his wife Margarete Mitscherlich-Nielsen were leading (training) but charismatic figures. debate 1960s 1970s Mitscherlichs did involved. Their books "Die Unfähigkeit zu Trauern" (The Inability Mourn), "Auf dem Weg zur vaterlosen Gesellschaft" (On Way Fatherless Society), Idee des Friedens und die menschliche Aggressivität" Idea Peace Human Aggression), all, among others, best-sellers great influence. But times areas including To summarize shortened somewhat dramatizing way: lost power interpret (“Definitionsmacht”—the define) gradually pushed out psychological faculties universities end 20th century; marginalized respects. With SFI, Hessian withdrew responsibility 1980s: took training, pure linked institutionally universities. institutional process transformation proved extremely difficult, lasting 10 years, insecurities. well-known former university psychoanalyst, Horst-Eberhard Richter, active peace movement ATTAC,1 interim leadership. commitment led conflicts, right-wing conservative government Hessen, 2003, 1 after Rolf Haubl taken leadership closed. existential me SFI—as institute—due mighty Zeitgeist empirical research—could survive earned reputation science, comparative psychotherapy carried successfully large, externally funded projects Leuzinger-Bohleber & Plänkers, 2019). am still grateful managed prevent closure able unique, socio-critical tradition institution, ally way projects, which—according dominating contemporary evidence-based medicine years—had accepted academic, nonpsychoanalytic methodology, criticized outside. urgent topics, challenges genetic, prenatal diagnostics, chronic depression, trauma transgenerational transmission, early prevention. mention just example: representative ivory tower tried fruitful families, flight migration backgrounds, kindergartens nurseries. Since evidence effectiveness prevention convincing, City Frankfurt, "STARTHILFE" (help start), annually offers weekly supervision, psychoanalytically oriented work, child therapies kindergartens: promoting 15 outcomes (empirically evaluated) presented conferences settings, celebration opening building September 2015; reader may recall height refugee crisis. politicians overwhelmed felt helpless deal thousands refugees, severely traumatized ones. Thus, October 2015, Ministry Affairs Family approached asked design—based experiences empirically evaluated projects—a concept refugees STEP-BY-STEP. implement based Michaelisdorf initial reception center Darmstadt 2015 2017. national model project. show effectiveness, establishment three Psychosocial Centers serve day (now under Patrick Meurs—for details, see IPA Off Couch (2020). discussed Schestag et al.’s paper volume, groups pandemic. Psychoanalysts, profound transmission next generations, families order retraumatization COVID -19 virus, crises systematic studies. However, takes base science unconscious. clinically “proven” applied cautious knowing position “not knowing” know: always continues. true dare apply offering help simplify issues here: easy intimacy individuals outside offices. possible, might illustrate, reliable frame support bring community hand. shared special institution taught my private office, words, psychoanalyses psychotherapies course influenced appearances, SFI: subject reflections couch. conflicts stimulated them analyzed, topics well. discussions intersubjective turn shown meantime metaphor analyst “objective,” “neutral,” affect-free surgeon Freud, "clear hard flexible mirror" problematic. Today, rather analytic relationship, transference countertransference, common reflection interaction inner outer realities Bohleber 2016). All describing clinicians “activists” Issue directly indirectly complexities interesting organizations, International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) (EPF) reacted president Federation, (HB) want consider approach four angles: perspective oeuvre whole, basic EPF federation, historical development EPF, finally activities IPA. start aspect: entire literary multidisciplinary understanding science. If basis “complementary series” (“Ergänzungsreihe”) (Freud, 1905) nature environment look writings cultural theory, becomes immediately too, saw men movements: affects, emotions thinking, respective environment. Some references articles “Group Psychology Analysis Ego” 1921), “The Future Illusion” 1927) “Civilization Discontents” 1930) suffice interested scope So, issue impact culture society, following consistent Freudian thought. self-image equally broad spectrum. Of course, bi-personal field associated center, understand need connections neighboring disciplines natural sciences theory. beings constituted act interpersonal field. Against backdrop, corresponding played role since foundation 1969. A undertaken annual Bulletins, however, reference socially significant increased recent Phenomena different cultures include horrific Nazi terror victims, survivors descendants, explored, war displacement, flight, xenophobia. emergence epidemic starting Europe Spring 2020, skyrocketing Italy, peak Bergamo, scale increasingly short When evident spreading almost everywhere towards pictures seen USA Latin America, Europe, started exchange presidents 43 societies. federation association members. aim ideas various countries. Serbia Belgium, offered consultations seeking help, consultations. instance Montigny; Nicolò; al.). Another place videoconferences, concerned discussion conditions pandemic: consulting room mask, online telephone? conducted analogous members resulting suggestions transnational discussion. enable supra-regional participation psychoanalysts, carry seminars, addressed loss, disruption continuities, denials, preservation liveliness collegial cohesion. colleagues high. similar relation part IPA, President Virginia Ungar (Argentina) Vice Sergio Nick (Brazil). One initiative list direction Harvey Schwartz (USA), feelings colleagues, emotional help. launch virtual seminars working COVID-19, coordinated Silvia Wajnbuch (Argentina). These languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, participated them. Four volume (Marianne Liana Giorgi, Joachim Küchenhoff, Heribert Blass) seminar confirm lot resonance colleagues. websites EPF. same webinars website American Societies (FEPAL). survey actively addressing implications concern guest editors publishing 14 papers. mentioned, generalizations observations. stick observations connect carefully speculative explanations. group unexpected, elusive, uncontrollable threat confronts death anxiety, helplessness. come respects lasted now. Perhaps realize anymore what strain Corona crisis us….: absorbs - consciously unconsciously psychic energies. empathic dialogue generations. … Empathy demanding skill acquired late development. susceptible disturbances. Each knows phenomenon empathy others thing stress” (Leuzinger-Bohleber Montigny, volume). developmental risk, point dangers involved, primitive coping mechanisms, fantasies, unrecognized, dialog adolescents. puts heavy burden disturbance-prone identity formation processes addition, provide enough needs, hindered limited ability empathize. makes ambivalences, characterize increases likelihood that, growing downside childhood, adolescence "second hazard" second chance. line reasoning followed Siri Gullestad (Oslo, Norway) her Our contempt weakness. Like she assumes intubated, Bergamo gone activated memories total dependence us. She describes examples, reactions Norway, despise lifelong vulnerability body-bound fight ourselves Particularly touching personal account accident, author recently unexpectedly experienced helping other. uses illustrate trauma: holding empathetic relationship (or trusting therapeutic experience) regain access weep mourn loss pretraumatic state body. possibility missing, encapsulation experiences. draws parallels intubated patient struggling breathe, fighting life; anonymous mass grave; Face-Time – heartbreaking images, iconic messages Covid-19 hit dependent each inspire greater tolerance weakness” (Gullestadt, Cultural aspects Blass (Düsseldorf, Germany) New Civilization Discontents Times Covid-19? focuses both burdens society. sees spectrum possible viral threat: real fear panic denial impending names aspects: (a) reality reappeared scale. (b) trust inoffensiveness shaken. assurance carrying deadly weapon, contacts contaminated underlying mood paranoia. (c) sharpens ambivalence contradictions solidarity hostility background, explores extent speak discontents” Citing description search happiness, hostile tendencies against 1930), antagonism thesis illustrated examples. refers security. regulations "lateral thinkers."