The fear of H1N1 is growing and many Italians are overreacting. Of the 2000 people interview online, half of them answered that they are afraid of the swine flu. These are the results of a survey carried out on the website www.eurodap.it, the webpage of the European association of panic troubles. “50% of people that took part in the survey – explained Paola Vinciguerra, psychologist, psychotherapist and president of Eurodap – said they don’t fear the new flu, but after analysing their answers, it was clear that they were activating control mechanisms, in order to manage the anxiety that the epidemic is generating”.

So, many men and women, who are worried about the news “are scared of shaking hands with someone, going to public places and touching objects that could transmit the virus. People also limit their presence in crowded places like public transport, cinemas, shopping centres, gyms, and they also reduce “socializing with friends and relatives”. According to Vinciguerra “our behaviour should be different: first of all we should fight the idea that we are in trouble, keeping in mind that our immune system defends us from diseases, which is stronger when we are relaxed and calm. Obviously we must follow the suggestions of the World Health Organization, without becoming obsessive – she ends, otherwise the quality of our lives will worsen”.  

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute