Fell into depression after the earthquake disaster: Hasn't bathed, gone outside, or cut his nails for 3 years

50-year-old Semra Özbay and her son Barış Özbay, who lived in the Defne district of Hatay, lost their home and relatives in the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. 23-year-old Barış Özbay, who suffered severe trauma following the earthquake, gradually became dependent on the virtual world.

The young man, who has not left the house for nearly three years, spends his time only with his computer and mobile phone. Barış Özbay, who dropped out of the logistics department he was studying at university, stated that he has lost his zest for life, saying, “I only eat and go to the bathroom because I have to. I have no dreams, I don't want to do anything.”

“I WATCH THE WALLS AND WAIT FOR EVENING TO COME”

Barış Özbay explained that he spends almost his entire day in the same cycle:

“I usually wake up, go to the bathroom, and eat because I have to. Then I sit, play with my phone, watch the walls, and wait for evening to come. I shut myself in the house two months before the earthquake, but I haven't gone out since then. I was studying at university, but I didn't want to do anything. I don't even want to bathe anymore; if it were up to me, I wouldn't even eat. Life isn't full of ups and downs for me, it's just bad. I don't want help, I don't want to go out, I want to sit at home.”

“HE HASN'T SHOWERED FOR 3 YEARS, ONLY PLAYS WITH HIS PHONE AND COMPUTER”

Mother Semra Özbay described the change her son has undergone through tears and stated the following:

“My son Barış is 23 years old. Our house was destroyed in the earthquake, I lost my mother, and his friends scattered. My son used to be hardworking, social, and cheerful. He was top of his class. But after the earthquake, he changed completely. He hasn't bathed or gone outside for 3 years. He only spends time with his phone and computer. He used to get angry at me when he didn't bathe; now he doesn't care about anything.”

Mother Özbay stated that her son says “I want to die” from time to time and does not speak to her.

“He used to call me ‘mom,’ now he doesn't even speak. Sometimes we fight, but I still don't leave him. My husband died, I have no other children. We have been living like this for three years. I console myself by looking at his old photos. I am asking the authorities for help so that my son can be treated.”

News Source: İHA