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It is a little-mentioned chapter on the coronavirus epidemic, but at the same time we probably all feel that the pandemic situation and the restrictions that have been in place for months, that have not been interrupted for months, are certainly a growing burden on us. mentally. This should also receive more attention because certain mental illnesses and addictions, such as depression and alcoholism, which are the main risk factors for suicide, are also a key problem in Hungary in “peacetime”. And besides the fact that we must also take care of ourselves in this area, the fact that our fellow men are also at risk cannot escape our attention. But what can we do for ourselves and for others? We asked Professor Emőke Bagdy, a psychologist.
Our questions were inspired, among other things, by the sad event reported by the Budapest motorist portal last week. According to this, a man jumped into the Danube from the Petőfi Bridge on a bright day, who, despite the central location of the bridge, appeared to be the only passerby, informed authorities.
It was a great fortune that the Coast Guard was practicing in the area only for the man to be rescued. While it is known that he did not acknowledge the specific intention to commit suicide, the report’s author also notes that he may have regretted his decision in the meantime. Whatever the truth, the case should certainly provide a lesson that we should pay much more attention to each other, both in terms of each other’s state of mind and what is happening in our immediate surroundings.
Unfortunately, Hungary also ends up in the tragic “forefront” in suicide statistics, despite the fact that since the second half of the 1980s the statistics show a downward trend. In 2019, 1,550 of our compatriots ended their own lives, which on average still means 4-5 deaths per day, and the number of suicide attempts is many times higher. It is not yet known what effect the first and second waves of the coronavirus epidemic had on these sad figures from last year, and it is suspected that we will have accurate information on the third wave later in this area.
At our request, the psychology professor Emőke Bagdy confirmed the importance of mental problems in the development of suicides. As described, 50 to 70 percent of the severely depressed and 30 to 35 percent of the untreated depressed commit suicide. 10 percent of people with schizophrenia die of self-destruction. Regarding age factors, he highlighted the need to pay more attention to the adolescent age group, because in the process of biological and spiritual changes, the mood of young people is more unstable, more closed to adults, and therefore therefore it is more difficult. to recognize the danger, he added.
According to Emőke Bagdy, the Petőfi bridge case mentioned in the introduction also shows that
In our fast-paced, self-centered lives, it’s harder to get attention longer, and there’s also the kind of selective inattention that we don’t want to know about what we don’t want to know.
With regard to the prevention of suicide attempts, the clinician considers more important to have a broad awareness of the three main characteristics of mental alertness preconditions. These are as follows:
- Dynamic reduction, that is, decrease in motivation, reduction of the emotional and relationship world of the person involved.
- Self-destructive impulses, control of accumulated anger against oneself.
- The person flees to the world of fantasy and imagines in his imagination how he will die, or in fantasy he imagines how to punish his environment with this.
From a spiritual point of view, a suicide attempt is a reflection of the final state, when the individual can no longer find any way out, is trapped in the vortex of suicidal thoughts and cannot signal the request for help to his or her setting remarkable enough.
We also asked the psychologist professor about the concrete possible mental effects of the pandemic situation and the state of mind in Hungary. As you have been informed, a survey is currently being carried out in Hungary,
However, international studies have already pointed to the so-called pandemic fatigue, which mainly includes symptoms of demotivation that paralyzes the functions of daily life, sleeping and eating disorders, vegetative lability, anxiety and adjustment disorders.
From the point of view of Hungary’s mental state, this statement is not insignificant in light of the fact that previous research in Hungary has already confirmed that the Hungarian population is characterized by above-average imbalances and depressive conditions. Individualism is also characteristic of us: in this context, Emőke Bagdy would like to quote the article by Gyula Illyés entitled Ki in Hungarian, in which he analyzes our growing desire for freedom.
The series of losses made us even more sensitive to the strengthening of the demand for freedom
– the expert explained, adding that individualism together with the demand for freedom already results in freedom, so then we cannot tolerate the provisions of the epidemic situation with enough discipline.
Finally, on the question of how we can help each other in the current period of pandemics and limitations, Emőke Bagdy emphasized that we must start with ourselves and discussed the importance of structuring, organizing our work and our way of life.
Lots of movement, fresh air, breathing exercises and movement, from Nordic walking to running, every movement is worth a treasure. Scheduled use of the monitor, including breaks. Cheerful and creative family programs for situations of isolation, the practice of humor, serenity, attitudes of optimism. Strengthening of love relationships. Support the belief of others that all evil is over. Looking to the future, helping and strengthening us positively. Help persuade him to get vaccinated, be active in that too
He added, adding to the latter that vaccination is a lifelong solution for which there is still no safer method. He himself lives up to the above, he said.
I confess with Miklós Radnóti: »Because one day there will be peace. Oh soul hold on, stand up for yourself! «Let’s take care of ourselves and others!
The psychologist professor closed his thoughts.
If you also feel like you need help, call the regular toll-free number 116-123 or 06 80 820 111 for those in crisis! Please read this page! If you are concerned about anything else, we recommend this page.
(Cover image: Emőke Bagdy. Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák / MTI)
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