Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was the guest of the program organized by the Diyarbakır Provincial Mufti's Office of Family and Religious Guidance. In his speech titled “Crisis Management in the Family,” Tarhan made important evaluations, stating that the Covid-19 pandemic affected families the most. Tarhan stated that people perceive social isolation as psychological isolation, and that the virus should be seen not as an enemy, but as a situation to be managed.
“The biggest 'fire' started in families due to the pandemic”
Stating that people misunderstood the concept of social isolation that entered our lives with the Covid-19 pandemic, Tarhan said; “Social isolation was perceived as psychological isolation by people. People misunderstood isolation. As a result, individuals experienced alienation towards themselves and society. And consequently, the biggest 'fire' started to emerge in families. Especially in China, after the pandemic period, divorce petitions increased so much that courts were postponing petitions for a month. We cannot share data on this in Turkey as no statistical study has been conducted, but it is impossible not to be affected. Our family structure has more protective dynamics.” he said.
“Let's see the pandemic not as an enemy, but as a situation to be managed”
Emphasizing that psychological pandemics may emerge all over the world after the Covid-19 pandemic, Tarhan said; “Even if the pandemic passes, it will take 1-2 years for us to return to our old social mobility. We need to develop new norms in relationships between people. People had become accustomed to physical comfort and luxury. With the pandemic process, where our freedom was restricted, it became evident how close death is. This process has a crisis dimension, but also an opportunity dimension from which we, as humanity, can learn lessons. The epidemic gave us three important gifts: free time, solid psychological education, and the opportunity to increase our spiritual accumulations. Let's see the virus not as an enemy, but as a situation to be managed. Instead of taking the virus as an opponent, we should take it alongside us and walk together. This is not getting used to the pandemic, but managing the pandemic.” he stated.
“A psychiatric pandemic is expected after Covid-19”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that an increase in psychiatric problems is expected worldwide after Covid-19, “An increase in psychiatric diseases and a psychiatric pandemic are expected in the post-pandemic period. There are statements from the World Health Organization on this matter. Outpatient and inpatient cases have increased. In our clinical experience, we see people who are 70 years old and have never used antidepressants in their lives using them after isolation during the quarantine period,” he said.
4 groups most affected by the pandemic!
Tarhan pointed out that four groups were most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; “People over 65, disadvantaged citizens, children, and those who live carelessly constitute the four groups most affected by the pandemic. Those who live carelessly are people who do not pay attention to masks, hygiene, social distancing, say 'nothing will happen to me,' and contract the virus.” he said.