Design for Life: How do I face my fears about society reopening?

This week, psychotherapist Siobhán Murray advises a reader in her 70s on how to re-engage with friends, family and all the activities that have been on hold during the pandemic

The pandemic has allowed those of us who experience anxiety to take a break from life without offending anyone. Image: Getty

Dear Expert,

I am in my early 70s, in a loving marriage, children grown and settled, with a busy mixture of part-time work, interests and good friends. Over the years, since young adulthood, I have dealt with depression and anxiety. Thanks to good doctors, good medication and lots of work on myself and wonderful family and social supports, I am generally very well indeed. But obviously one can never completely avoid lurking anxiety and apprehensions. ...