Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the effects of the pandemic, which has been a part of our lives for more than a year, on our psychology.
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the psychological reflections of the pandemic that has been effective for over a year, emphasizes that one of the most significant consequences is loneliness. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan notes that loneliness is the biggest nightmare of modernism and states that if precautions are not taken after the pandemic, the crisis could erupt from loneliness. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also highlights the loneliness of young people, stating that youth and adolescence are periods of socialization, and warns, “A generation is coming that lives with cell phones in their hands and never meets their friends.” He added that “a loving gaze, a sincere smile, a warm touch, and a few kind words are now very valuable.”
How the pandemic affected our mental health
We need to see the pandemic as a crisis that will leave notes in history. It is the first time in human history that humanity has been affected by an epidemic to this extent. There have been plague epidemics before, but those epidemics remained within a single continent, whereas this is a global epidemic spreading between continents.
To understand the psychological dimension of the pandemic, one must examine its potential impact on individuals, society, and global societies. This is a crisis. There are two important rules in crisis management. The first rule is that during a crisis, the crisis resembles a chain. This is like the chain of time in social life. The strongest part of the chain is its weakest link. When there is tension or stress, the chain breaks at its weakest point. Similarly, if we consider society as a chain, during a crisis, society becomes strained, and rupture begins at its weak points. One of these weak points is currently loneliness.
According to Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, the biggest impact is “Loneliness”
The biggest impact of the pandemic affecting the entire world has been loneliness. Loneliness will explode after the pandemic. Precautions must be taken for the post-pandemic period. A pandemic of psychiatric illness is expected in the post-pandemic period.
The nightmare of modernism is loneliness. I predict that this crisis will erupt from loneliness. There aren't enough statistics currently, but there were global precursors to this. Here, loneliness has become the global breaking point of psychological tension. A rupture will occur from this point. There are other possibilities, but this is the most important one. The second rule of crises is that events never resolve themselves. When a rupture occurs, it doesn't return to normal spontaneously. In this crisis, too, if we do not take measures regarding loneliness, it will leave a greater mark.
If we take a global precaution against the crisis, we can prevent much greater damages. Globally, whichever society can find a solution to loneliness, that society will escape the nightmare of loneliness in the post-pandemic era. If no one takes precautions against this, they will not be able to escape the nightmare of loneliness and will collapse like the late Roman period.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan advises families the following
There are 4 rules I highly recommend within the family: A loving gaze, a sincere smile, a warm touch, and a few kind words. These four points are remedies for loneliness in close relationships and experiences.
An evaluation needs to be made on whether the pandemic is a danger or an opportunity. Our freedom was restricted, but our ability to delay gratification improved. Our physical and mental comfort decreased, but we had more time to develop ourselves and strengthen family bonds. Our pleasure and speed-oriented lifestyle was restricted, but we were able to discover new interests. We couldn't exercise some of our rights, but we also realized that others have rights. We were very harsh on nature, but we learned that we need to be more careful about global pollution and climate change.
We learned that not only economic prosperity but also spiritual prosperity is important. With our own values, we are sitting on such a resource. We are sitting on cultural and social capital. If we do not activate this, future generations will say "shame on our ancestors" to us. Therefore, we have a responsibility towards them.