Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "Fanatics should not prevent making the right decision"
Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan pointed out that there are "fanatical" segments about stray animals and stated that "Stray dog attacks harm people both psychiatrically and physiologically. Therefore, it is necessary to decide with reason, not feelings." The debate about stray animals continues fiercely. Opposition deputies and animal rights defenders (!) who sabotaged the negotiations on the law on stray animals in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye ignited a new crisis in the society. The radical attitudes of the masses, who vigorously defend stray animals that attack people, draw attention. President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan made special statements to Diriliş Post.
"They have traumas"
Evaluating the insults made to the families who were victims of dog attacks during the commission meetings convened for the stray animals, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said that "There are healthy examples of the relationship with animals as well as unhealthy ones. There are people who cannot even understand the people whose children died in animal attacks. Many of these people have childhood traumas. For example, they may have been mistreated as a child, or it may have grown up without love.
Apart from this, people who grow up in emotional neglect and emotional abuse feel hungry for emotion and satisfy these needs with animal love. They also fight to the death for animals. Since this fight is accepted by society, they are usually not alone. When we look at the childhood of most of these people, their traumas are revealed. The disproportionate and unrestrained behavior of such people should not prevent the right decisions."
"Animal phobia is a clinical phenomenon"
On the other hand, pointing out that animal phobia is a clinical phenomenon that can be treated, Prof. Tarhan said that "Animals are our mute friends. Love for animals has a psychotherapeutic effect. Fear of animals is a clinical phenomenon. If the severity of fear is disproportionate, or if the intensity of love for animals is disproportionate, we are talking about a clinical phenomenon. If the person wants, this can be treated. Patients with mono-phobia progress much more easily. In fact, personalized treatments are prescribed for this. There are special simulations written for these treatments. With these animations, we confront traumatized people with this phobia by making them feel as if they are in contact with animals. In other words, if the person complains about this, it is possible to overcome their phobia."
Forgotten traumas lead to complex behaviors
Referring to the traumas that occur after the attack of stray dogs, Tarhan said that animal attack traumas are divided into two as primary and secondary traumas and said that "In primary traumas, the person who is directly exposed to the attack experiences trauma. Secondary trauma is seen in people who witness someone else's attack. Such conditions can also be treated if the person wishes. However, such traumas are usually forgotten afterwards, and complex behaviors emerge after them. For example, when these people see an animal, they overreact and experience their emotions disproportionately. Sometimes parents mourn the assault of their children. This also has a treatment process. Some of them get over it and try to do something useful to society in their lives.”
"The word of reasonable people should be respected"
Pointing out that the agenda of dog attacks in the media has intensified the fear of dogs in people and that mothers are now very careful and anxious when taking their children outside, Tarhan expressed that "Especially children are very victimized at this point. If no action is taken, this population will lead to an increase in deaths. Because the population has risen so much. If animals are ganging up, it is impossible for them not to attack. They see children as prey. Therefore, ganging should not be allowed. We need shelters at this point."
"Decisions need to be made with reason"
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that "As in sports, science and music, there will be radicals and fanatics in this regard. These should not be an obstacle to making the right decision. Stray dog attacks harm people both psychiatrically and physiologically. Therefore, the word of reasonable people should be respected, and decisions should be made with reason, not feelings."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)