THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VICTORY

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VICTORY

Nataliia  Zhyhailo

Ph.D. in Psychological sciences

Ivan Franko National University of Lviv

During these difficult times, the work of psychologists and psychotherapists is needed more than ever and will be needed even more in future. Our colleagues experienced in dealing with various traumatic and crisis situations from all over the world are now coming to help us. The team of the Lviv Regional Branch of the Psychologists Association of Ukraine, headed by Deputy Dean for Scientific Work of the Philosophy Faculty, Doctor of Psychology, Professor of Theory and History of Political Science at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Nataliia  Zhyhailo together with colleagues from H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (Tamara Khomulenko, Boryslav Khomulenko) with the participation of famous psychotherapists from the USA, Europe, New Zealand (Robert Dilts, Judith Delosier, Richard Bolsteda, Michel Rouge, Kimberly Progaska, Teresa Sianciolo, Steven Gilligan, Susy Smith) developed useful psychological techniques during wartime and detailed the necessary assistance for psychological traumas.

Expert advice has been unified and supplemented by us, said the University professor Nataliia  Zhyhailo. “We believe that replacing fear with faith in victory will help to overcome this feeling. It is significant to take informational breaks from reading the news, and instead fill yourself with happiness, prayer and remember to drink plenty of water. It is also important to keep your body in shape: exercise, do any kind of physical activity, spend 70 minutes walking every day, and doctors recommend taking vitamin C. Make efforts to sleep balanced because only sleeping restores emotions. In addition, we provide informational support, help others with humour and play, hug – it adds confidence, smile – it heals, make plans for the future and say many peace slogans: “God”, “Love”, “Victory”, “Peace” “,” Thank you “,” Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!” ( Nataliia  Zhyhailo). There are also clear, specific, step-by-step guidelines for recovering (according to Sid Jacobson). The following basic questions need to be answered: “What happened?”, “What do you need?”, “What are you planning?”. The main filters are removal, distortion, generalization. During dangerous times, you should be able to like a coach -focused and mobilized. Try to return to the “learning state of mind” – the state in which you were resourceful – to inspire. You can shift to this state with the help of verbal code, for example, “everything will be fine”, “everything is fine” and so on.

Another block of advice (from Michel Rouge) concerns how to cope with trauma, how to help yourself and others. The basis of the explanation is the “hero’s path” on the example of John McCain, a famous politician and public figure who at one time was a prisoner of war. Three things helped him to survive: faith in God; self-belief; faith in your country.

The operational meaning of faith is to believe in something outside you, in what supports you, to trust the result of which there is no result yet. Ways out: take an oath to yourself; take intentions; take concrete steps. It is necessary to learn how to move from the state of crash (stress) to the state of the coach (concentration) with the help of visual exercises, contact with what is around, concentration on the object. It is important to find the center in itself – grounding.

The resources for this are higher forces, the memory of our ancestors, Ukrainian culture, society, internal dialogue (“I,” something unique in me). After that, according to experts, there comes an internal state of rest.

Experts also highlighted practical recommendations for reassurance. The sympathetic nervous system helps to survive, escape from danger, and parasympathetic helps to relax. You need to do breathing exercises, yawn, laugh, move; do qigong and tai-chi exercises, engage in body-oriented psychotherapy, normalize sleep.

The set of practical exercises formed by Kimberly Progaska explains what interesting educational cases can be distinguished to improve your psychological state. For example, “the war of all” cured “of Covid.” Experts also point out that adolescents and children are most difficult to deal with trauma, but each of us is characterized by cognitive errors, including the idea that nothing will recover. But we must remember: there is always hope and faith that everything will be fine. “Using the experience of successful strategies of the past will be useful for us to build future strategies, and the most healing force – the strength of human relationships,” – explained experts.

Methods of neuro-linguistic programming, some practices of working with oneself, key mistakes in conditions of war, ways of transition from a state of fall to a state of elevation were formulated by psychologist Boryslav Khomulenko (Kharkiv). “In extreme conditions, we abandon the usual way of life, as a result of which the mind emerges from a state of basic balance. Therefore, it is important to return to our usual daily routine. Humor in war is very important, and equally important – to help what we can help. All this creates a background emotional balance. To carry out information support (even if it is for self-aspiration), to find their key actions, to build plans for the future – all these steps contribute to the production of the hormone of happiness (dopamine), “Boryslav Khomulenko explains.

Also, the specialist adds that in difficult conditions, those people who have existing meanings survive (according to Victor Frankl) – energy is given to the meaning.

“It is also important to overcome the inner evil in ourselves. And there is also an interesting fact – in a state of war, people rarely get sick, “Boryslav Khomulenko stressed.

PhD specialist in neuropsychology, behaviorist, author of methodological developments on innovative approaches to working with people with RAS, Down syndrome, intellectual development disorders and behavior Teresa Sianciolo shared her experience working with children with special needs in conditions of war. “During the war, we continue to worry about our children, to do routine work. Children with special needs need special attention. They need visual stimuli and signals. They are sensitive to the emotional state of their parents – mirror it. A safe place for such a child on the floor in the corner. It is important to hug, cover with kotsyk, take hands, train a sense of security. Analyze what actions the child performs on the repeat (for example, playing the gadget). The gadget performs a calming function, although protection as it is not, but the child has a switch of attention, “the expert explains.

According to her, it is also important to repeat the phrase that will fulfill the role of the mantra: “we are a family,” “we are safe.” Repeat it every time equally so that it circulates in the child’s brain. “The child must have his duty, for example, to bring water, to make sure that the grandmother drinks the medicine. This will protect her from chaotic actions. It is also important to apply any form of activity, take into account the individual characteristics of the child, “- said Teresa Sianciolo and emphasized that the experience of working with children with special needs can be useful for all children.

The great American psychologist and psychotherapist – a follower of Milton Erickson – Stephen Gilligan believes that if we want to help someone with trauma, we need to start with ourselves, with our own state.

Five steps that help healing: gather your attention in one point in yourself; remember your values, your goal, your positive intentions; tune in, connect with your breath, meditate, pray; Think about what I can do.

The scholar gives examples of people who survived the war: a priest who in due course endured the wounded – for him it was an experience of spiritual transition; the doctor who worked on the front, developed the idea of a placebo (there was not enough painkiller, so the wounded gave water with salt and said it was morphine, and it acted as an anesthetic). All these are mechanisms for connecting with life.

With strong tension of the victim, it is possible to unlock it through communication with someone else; a loved one; ancestors; with someone she sympathizes with. Try to feel grounded and connected to positive memories, perhaps from childhood. This is an example of a simple and strong resource that will help to heal. We are looking for a connection with the positive in the past, present and future. Trauma destroys all positive states, however, you need to draw from the references to the pleasant moments of life.

Stephen Gilligan recommends: “Never look the enemy in the eye. Never cling to the problem, because this is the right way to become a problem yourself. It is important to believe: “I will win,” “I can.” “

An interesting case: the former Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meier was asked who she consulted in a problematic situation. She replied: with grandmother (who is no longer) and granddaughter (who is not yet). That is, the connection with the past present and the future will help us to pass through all the complexities of life. The main message of Stephen Giligan: “There is power inside a man who is bigger and deeper than pain!” Dear Speaker, he expressed admiration for the unity of our people and the example of heroism!

The experience of psychologists and psychotherapists in conditions of war was shared by Susie Smith, who told how to use the brain in stressful situations; shared the most working and simple tools.

To reduce the level of stress is possible by: breathing squared for a minute; move your toes; name 5 things that surround; 4 things we hear; 3 things that can be felt to the touch; 2 things that can be sniffed; 1 thing we taste.

Technique 6 seconds: smile and thereby break the bond with stress inside. Claim to myself: “my mind is watchful, but the body is relaxed.” Breathe deep. This technique can be used for children – their attention and educational process are improved; while driving the car; when the heart rate is accelerated, etc.

“There is almost no good news on TV, so most of us are stressed by watching the news,” the Speaker rightly noted. Therefore, “watching TV, immediately use this technique”) There is stress on a certain tone of voice.

A simple way to get rid of insomnia (when thinking in your head) you need to say in a command voice: “stop!” (add a “stop” sign in your imagination), breathe deeply, and say to yourself, “I will cope with everything.” Guiding your eyes around the circle is one of the techniques of getting rid of obsessive thoughts. The rule of eight, splitting injury and other important techniques was presented by dear Susie Smith. Each technique should be repeated 12, 24, 36 times.

At the end of the meeting, Natalia Zhyhailo expressed her gratitude to everyone who is addressing the victory of Ukraine in the war – the leadership of the state, military, volunteers, clergy, doctors, psychologists, journalists, people of goodwill.

Peaceful to us heaven!

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!