Comfortism Is Increasing as a Global Disease!
Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan noted that the spread of comfortism today has become a serious threat to human health and stated that “There is a concept called 'comfort diseases.' Five primary comfort diseases have been defined. Two of these are physical, and three are psychological or psychiatric disorders. Among the physical diseases are obesity and diseases caused by inactivity."
Emphasizing that one of the causes of evil is the conformist tendencies in humans, Tarhan said that the most important advice against comfortism is that individuals should consider not only personal benefit but also societal benefit.
President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the concept of comfortism in the TRT Radio 1 "Ailece" program.
Comfortism has increased as a global disease
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan explained that the concept of comfort, also known as "comfortism" or "conformism," can be defined as a person's inclination towards their own comfort. "Comfort refers to the area where a person feels most relaxed and secure. The term 'comfort zone' refers to the space where a person feels most at ease and safe. In Turkish, terms like 'comfort' or 'a love for comfort' correspond to comfortism. Comfortism has increased globally as a disease. This is actually a natural result of modernism and is not surprising. Technological developments, increased economic prosperity, changes in social norms, the evolution of values, and the differentiation of expectations have all fueled comfortism. The education system is also one of the elements that promote this process. A life philosophy focused on the individual, where people only care about their own comfort, has become widespread. Approaches that prioritize individual benefit over societal benefit have globally encouraged comfortism.”
Five primary comfort diseases have been defined
Prof. Tarhan, emphasizing that the spread of comfortism today poses a serious threat to human health, stated that "There is a concept called 'comfort diseases.' Five primary comfort diseases have been defined. Two of them are physical, and three are psychological or psychiatric disorders. Among the physical diseases are obesity and diseases caused by inactivity. Cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic diseases, and other chronic disorders arise from lifestyle errors. Especially in older age, many diseases that put a significant burden on medicine have their roots in incorrect nutrition and sedentary lifestyle choices from a young age.”
What are psychiatric comfort diseases?
Regarding psychiatric comfort diseases, Prof. Tarhan stated that the first is addiction, where people avoid effort and opt for instant gratification through addictive substances or behaviors instead of seeking happiness by working, getting tired, and searching for meaning. Tarhan expressed that "The second is loneliness. At the core of loneliness lies the tendency to escape from discomfort. For instance, a person who chooses to end a relationship instead of solving problems with their spouse, thinking 'Forget it, think of yourself, you are important,' opts for the easier route. Similarly, parents who prefer to be indifferent instead of engaging in the labor-intensive process of child-rearing gradually lose their bond with their children. As a result, family ties weaken, and individuals become more isolated.”
Why has evil become ordinary?
Pointing to the ordinariness of evil, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan asked that "So, why has evil become ordinary? In the face of evil, people showed comfort-oriented tendencies, saying 'The system wants it this way,' and chose the easier path. Adapting to evil was accepted as a normal situation. However, those who do evil are not under extraordinary pressure, nor is there any extreme factor forcing them to do evil. In fact, people stay silent in the face of injustice and evil out of fear of losing their comfort and what they have. One of the reasons for evil is the conformist tendencies in humans.”
They cannot speak out against evil due to the fear of losing what they have...
Prof. Tarhan, who mentioned that humans are not created to live individually and said that "Neuroscience research also confirms this. When a person is not socially approved, danger circuits in the brain are activated. When a person feels alone, these danger circuits in their brain become active, and they begin to compromise to fit in with society. They ignore evil. People, with the fear of losing what they have, go into an adaptation effort and cannot speak out against evil.”
They compromise to avoid losing comfort...
Prof. Tarhan explained that people act to avoid losing their comfort, and this is the same in psychological warfare strategies. He explained that those in power manipulate people by continuously giving them something to bring them to a certain position, and then enslave them with the fear of losing that position. Tarhan expressed that “This is one of the most common psychological warfare techniques used by those in power. A person starts compromising voluntarily but necessarily. Over time, they make mistakes, and these mistakes continue in a chain reaction. The human brain is programmed to adapt."
A person feels safe when they realize they are not alone
Prof. Tarhan stated that when people are left alone, the danger circuits in their brains are activated, leading them to feel fear. He explained that "When a person feels they are part of a system or meaning and realizes they are approved, they understand they are not alone and feel safe. True comfort begins here. However, this is short-term and primitive comfort. So, what is the comfort of a smart person? It is providing long-term comfort by seeing the bigger picture. Just like the default modes in technology, the human brain has an innate adaptation mechanism. In order to adapt to life, a person needs some informational clues. Not only information, but normative informational clues are also required. We look to others to learn life."
In marriage, divorce is not an alternative, but a result!
Prof. Tarhan, who noted that comfortism weakens people's empathy skills and social bonds, continued his remarks as follows:
"Empathy requires asking the question, 'Where do others' rights start and where do my rights end?' But today, some life coaches and even some psychologists are constantly giving people individualistic messages like 'You are important, forget about your spouse, partner, children, family...' By saying that the individual is sacred, not the family, they center the individual. This approach leads to an increase in divorce rates and the spread of loneliness. However, in a healthy relationship, the main focus should be on the question, 'How can we understand each other?' If the other side is not ill-intentioned, trying to adapt with them is the ideal approach. Separating, leaving is easy, but loneliness and other social problems can arise as a result. In marriage, divorce is not an alternative; it is a result. If it becomes inevitable after all efforts have been made, it is of course acceptable. But the important thing is not to give up at the first opportunity without making all the efforts."
Different temperaments are possible, but it is possible to move in harmony for a shared future!
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan pointed out that one of the biggest reasons for the increase in loneliness globally is that individualism is perceived as egocentrism. Tarhan stated that "Unfortunately, older psychological schools have supported this understanding. However, new psychological schools, especially mindfulness practices and third-generation psychotherapies, are trying to change this perspective. The important thing is to bring together people with different characters toward a common goal. In a marriage, temperaments may be different, but it is possible to move in harmony for a shared future. The same applies to work life. Expecting everyone in a company to think like you will create unrest. On the other hand, accepting people as they are means showing respect to both yourself and your environment. You should neither oppress nor be oppressed. The important thing is to work together for a common purpose.”
Comfort can be both individual and group-oriented!
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that comfort is often understood only as an individual concept, but beyond individual comfort, there is also group comfort. He explained that "Because humans are inherently social beings. As I mentioned earlier, when a person is not approved and is left alone, the danger circuits in the brain are activated. This situation increases anxiety, makes a person feel depressed, and leads to unhappiness."
When the family is safe, the individual is safe!
Indicating that a common purpose is necessary for harmony to form, Prof. Tarhan concluded his remarks as follows: "The main reason for today's disharmony is purposelessness. When people focus solely on their individual goals, social harmony is disrupted. The most important recommendation against comfortism is that individuals should consider not only their personal benefit but also the societal benefit. When the family is safe, the individual will also be safe."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)