Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that the widespread prevalence of comfort-seeking today has become a serious threat to human health, said, “There is a concept defined as comfort diseases. Five basic comfort diseases have been identified. Two of these are physical, and three are psychological or psychiatric disorders. Physical diseases include obesity and diseases caused by inactivity.”
Emphasizing that one of the causes of evil is the conformist tendencies in humans, Tarhan stated that the most important recommendation against comfort-seeking is for individuals to consider not only individual benefit but also societal benefit.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the issue of comfort-seeking on TRT Radio 1's Ailece program.
Comfort-seeking has increased as a global disease
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the concept of comfort is also known as "comfort-seeking" or "conformism," saying, "Comfort can be defined as an individual's fondness for their own ease. The comfort zone refers to the area where an individual feels most comfortable and secure. In Turkish, the concepts of 'rahatlık' (ease) or 'rahatına düşkünlük' (fondness for ease) correspond to comfort-seeking. Comfort-seeking has increased globally as a disease. In fact, this situation is a natural consequence of modernism and is not surprising. Factors such as technological advancements, increased economic prosperity, changes in social norms, the evolution of values, and the differentiation of expectations have fueled comfort-seeking. The education system is also one of the elements that encourage this process. A lifestyle focused on individual comfort, thinking only of oneself, has become widespread. Approaches that prioritize individual benefit over societal benefit have globally promoted comfort-seeking."
Five basic comfort diseases have been identified
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, noting that the widespread prevalence of comfort-seeking today has become a serious threat to human health, said, "There is a concept defined as comfort diseases. Five basic comfort diseases have been identified. Two of these are physical, and three are psychological or psychiatric disorders. Physical diseases include obesity and diseases caused by inactivity. Cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic diseases, and other chronic illnesses arise due to lifestyle errors. Especially in old age, many diseases that place a heavy burden on medicine have their roots in improper nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle adopted from a young age."
What are psychiatric comfort diseases?
Regarding psychiatric comfort diseases, Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that the first of these is addiction, where individuals avoid effort and seek pleasure through easy means, turning to addictive substances or behaviors that provide instant gratification instead of finding happiness through effort, toil, and seeking meaning. He continued, "The second is loneliness. At the root of loneliness also lies the tendency to escape to comfort. For example, instead of solving problems with their spouse, an individual who adopts the 'Never mind, think of yourself, you are important' mentality may choose the easy way out and end their relationship. Similarly, parents who prefer to remain indifferent rather than engaging in a labor-intensive process like child-rearing will eventually lose their bond with their children. As a result, family ties weaken, and individuals become isolated."
Why has evil become commonplace?
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed to the normalization of evil, stating, "So, why has evil become commonplace? Faced with evil, people indulged in their comfort, saying 'The established order demands it,' and chose the easy path. Adapting to evil was accepted as a normal situation. However, those who commit evil are not under extraordinary pressure, nor is there an extreme factor forcing them to commit evil. In fact, out of fear of not abandoning their comfort, out of fear of losing their comfort, losing what they possess, they remain silent in the face of injustice and evil. One of the reasons for evil is the conformist tendencies in humans."
They cannot speak out against evil for fear of losing what they possess…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that humans are not created to live individually, adding, "Neuroscience research confirms this. When the human brain is not socially approved, danger circuits are activated. When a person feels lonely, these danger circuits in their brain become active, and they start making concessions to adapt to society. They turn a blind eye to evil. People try to adapt out of fear of losing what they possess and cannot speak out against evil."
They make concessions to avoid losing comfort…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that people act to avoid losing their comfort, and that this situation is the same in psychological warfare strategies, where those in power manipulate people by constantly giving them things to elevate them to a certain position, and then enslave them with the anxiety of preserving that position. He said, "This is one of the most frequently used psychological warfare methods by those in power. The individual begins to make voluntary but obligatory concessions. Over time, mistakes are made, and these mistakes continue in a chain reaction. The human brain is programmed to adapt."
If a person understands they are not alone, they feel safe
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that when people are alone, they start to experience fear because the danger circuits in their brain are activated. He said, "If a person feels that they are part of a system or a meaning, they realize they are not alone when they perceive approval, and they feel safe. True comfort begins here. However, this is a short-term and primitive comfort. So, what is the comfort of an intelligent person? It is to provide long-term comfort by seeing the bigger picture. Just like default modes in technology, the human brain also has an innate adaptation mechanism. Humans need certain information cues to adapt to life. But not only information, normative information cues are also necessary. We look to others to learn about life."
In marriage, divorce is not an alternative, but a consequence!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that comfort-seeking weakens people's empathy skills and social bonds, and continued:
"Empathy requires asking the question, 'Where do others' rights begin, and where do my rights end?' However, today some life coaches and even some psychologists constantly give individualistic messages to people like 'You are important, forget your spouse, partner, child, family...' They place the individual at the center by saying that the family is not sacred, but you are sacred. This approach leads to an increase in divorce rates and the spread of loneliness. Yet, in a healthy relationship, the truly important thing is to focus on the question 'How can we get along?' If the other party is not malicious, trying to adapt to them is the most ideal approach. Breaking up and leaving is easy, but it can result in loneliness and other social problems. In marriage too, divorce is not an alternative, but a consequence. If it becomes inevitable after all avenues have been tried, it is certainly acceptable. However, the important thing is not to give up at the first opportunity without showing all efforts."
Temperaments may be different, but it is possible to act in harmony for a common future!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that one of the biggest reasons for the global increase in loneliness is the perception of individualism as egocentrism, stating, "Unfortunately, old schools of psychology also supported this understanding. However, new schools of psychology, especially mindfulness studies and third-generation psychotherapies, are trying to change this perspective. The important thing is to be able to keep people with different characters together for a common purpose. In a marriage, temperaments may be different, but it is possible to act in harmony for a common future. The same applies to business life. Expecting everyone to think like you while working at a company creates unrest. However, accepting people as they are means showing respect to both yourself and your surroundings. You should neither oppress nor be oppressed. The important thing is to be able to work together for a common goal."
Comfort can be individual as well as communal!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that comfort is understood only as an individual concept, whereas beyond individual comfort, there is also communal comfort, adding, "Because humans are social beings by nature. As I mentioned earlier, when not approved and left alone, the danger circuits in the brain are activated. This situation increases anxiety in the person, causing them to feel depressed and unhappy."
When the family is safe, the individual is safe too!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that a common purpose is necessary for harmony, concluding, "The main reason for current disharmony is aimlessness. When people focus only on their individual goals, social harmony deteriorates. The most important recommendation against comfort-seeking is for individuals to consider not only individual benefit but also societal benefit. When the family is safe, the individual is safe too."