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Coronaphobia: Fear and the 2019-nCoV outbreak

Authored By: Asmundson, G. J. G. & Taylor, S.

As the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, 2019-nCOV, spreads across the world, so does the fear of contracting the virus⎯perhaps at an even faster rate.

The term “coronaphobia” illustrates the unhelpful ways that some people across the world have been responding to their fear of the coronavirus. These responses can feature unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns. Examples of unhelpful thinking patterns include spending too much time worrying about getting the virus, worrying that harmless bodily sensations (e.g., running nose from allergy) are a symptom of the virus, and xenophobia (i.e., prejudice against people from other countries) towards Chinese people. Examples of unhelpful behavioural patterns include seeking unnecessary medical attention, exceeding public health time recommendations for body washing and disinfecting personal belongings, and extreme avoidance of public spaces and strangers.

Individuals with coronaphobia are likely to experience tremendous personal distress and difficulty functioning in their day to day life. At a community and global level, widespread coronaphobia could devastate health-care systems across the world. For instance, if emergency rooms are flooded with scared people who have incorrectly concluded that benign bodily sensations are symptoms of the virus, then health-care systems may become overwhelmed responding to the concerns of otherwise healthy individuals rather than those infected with the novel coronavirus.

The problems caused by coronaphobia represent a call to action for psychosocial researchers and practitioners alike. We need to better understand the psychological trajectory and effects of coronaphobia, including how best to support people whose mental health has been negatively affected by their fear of the virus. Research is also needed to explain why this virus, in particular, is more feared than other harmful viruses like seasonal influenza. This work will help current and future health-care systems prepare better for the onslaught of pandemics like 2019-nCOV.

Lay summary written by Julia Mason

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