Dr Jemila Yusuf, an Ilorin-based Psychologist, has called on Nigerians to control their anger adrenaline to avoid unpleasant actions among family members and housemates during the compulsory stay-at-home regime.
Yusuf gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin.
The Kwara State Government had p,on March 23, directed the residents of the state to staycp atmhome to complement Federal Government’s effort at curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said that there was the likelihood of family members engaging in unnecessary outbursts as a result of pressure emanating from constantly staying together during this period.
Yusuf said that the human nature could revolt against being limited from exploiting freedom and space.
The Psychologist said that partners and other family members should show understanding and be patient with one another in order to create a lovable home atmosphere.
“Some people can get angry when misunderstood. Generally, human adrenaline can rise negatively and emits frustration and sadness over some perceived offensive actions.
“The way we see things and interpret things are different.
“And some family members have been together for many years, but have never had the opportunity to stay at home together for a whole week, without going out to their work places or on business trips.
“Many couples and siblings have never had the opportunity to know themselves well, due to their busy schedules, thereby finding it difficult to understand themselves now that they have to stay at home for weeks.
Yusuf added that: “ research has shown that anger can lead to sexual abuses, bullying, physical abuses and even suicide and murder”.
The Psychologist said the way people reacted to things was as a result of their past experiences to such similar acts or even their inability to trust people again.
She said that it was important that family members showed restraints in the face of provocation.
“People staying together in a house must shun direct or indirect abuses, unnecessary screaming, rude attitude, open confrontation and wrong accusations for peace to reign.
“While the consequences of anger can be very severe, it depends on the rate of the offence committed, which can be regretted.
“Some of the consequences which must be considered include developing health challenges like heart attack, mental disorder, divorce, life imprisonment, or even death by hanging,” Yusuf said.
The expert said that human beings were social animals and so it would be difficult to be in social isolation for a long time without any problem arising, adding, however, that all negative situations must be brought under control
