The terrorist attack in an entertainment venue in Ortaköy, Istanbul in the first hours of the New Year has deeply shaken all segments of society.
Stating that the aim of terrorism is to tear society apart, experts said, "We are all wounded. That is why we can all understand each other's wounds and pain. We can heal each other only by standing together."
Psychiatry specialist Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Önen Ünsalver from Üsküdar University Feneryolu Polyclinic stated that terrorist incidents shake the basic sense of security and said, "This shaking causes the person to be uneasy and alert. It causes the individual to wait in a way that constantly looks for a possible enemy."
Stating that interpretation mistakes can be made while the sense of threat and danger prevails, Ünsalver made the following evaluations:
The most severe effect of terrorism is to see everyone as an enemy!
"You may start to see everyone and every situation that you are not sure is a friend as an enemy. This can cause you to distance yourself from people and feel lonely and helpless, and also cause you to react exaggeratedly to people you are prejudiced against when you mix with society. This is the most severe impact of terrorism.
It is not just an event, it is the emotions and thoughts that the event creates and the pin that pulls the pin of aggressive or overly defensive behaviors that will increase new and social chaos."
Share your feelings with your relatives...
Stating that it is very natural that the feeling of rebellion increases as the frequency and severity of terrorist incidents increase, Barış Önen Ünsalver said, "However, in order to prevent the wounds from growing like an avalanche, it may be more appropriate to step back and try to calm down and postpone the reactions. You should also be careful not to be alone while retreating. Increase your contact with those close to you who are experiencing similar fears, worries and pain. Share your feelings and thoughts. Get together with your loved ones more often and show them the value you give them."
Stay away from social media
"Violence is born out of a lack of love," Ünsalver said, "Love is best communicated when people are together, around the same table, in the canteen of the workplace, in the bazaar, in the market, in the coffeehouse. Social media is quite cold and inadequate at this point. Moreover, in this realm where there is no eye-to-eye contact and no tone of voice is heard, everyone can more easily declare everyone else an enemy. Not spending too much time on social media, except for a few news sites you trust, can keep your mind organized."
Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barış Önen Ünsalver said, "Approaching everyone we know with love, a simple smile and a few kind words can help us create a social shield against the terrorist disease that wants to tear us apart. We are all wounded and therefore we can all understand the pain of the other's wound. We can heal each other only by standing together."