Earthquake survivor Barış Özbay's struggle with digital addiction and his lonely life

52-year-old mother Semra Özbay and her 25-year-old son Barış Özbay, who lost their home in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, are trying to hold on to life together in their detached house in Gazi District of Antakya district after the earthquake they experienced.

HE LEFT HIS UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

According to the news on İHA, the family, who lost both their home and relatives in the earthquake, has been struggling with a difficult process for 3 years. Barış Özbay, who lost his enthusiasm for life after the earthquake and dropped out of the university he was studying in, started playing on his computer and mobile phone all the time, became addicted to the virtual world and attracted Türkiye's attention with his life story.

HE RETURNED HOME AND STOPPED HIS MEDICATIONS

The young man who meets his needs for survival; After approximately 3 months of hospital treatment, he returned to his beloved home. Özbay, whose life began to change after the news, stopped using his medications and continued to spend his days playing on his mobile phone when he returned home after the treatment process.

STARTS WORK BY PHONE

Özbay, who was a matter of curiosity with his life story, also attracted attention with his weight gain and changing body and face. Özbay, who returned to his old life at home after his treatment in the hospital, continues his mobile phone work throughout the day, which starts at the first light of the morning.

HE HAS NOT TAKEN A SHOWER FOR 2 MONTHS

Stating that he is happy with his life and does not want anyone to interfere, Özbay said that what he experienced in the virtual world did not affect him and that he could not harm living beings. Özbay, who was allowed to take a shower months later during the treatment process, said that he did not fulfill his self-care needs by saying, "I don't remember the last time I took a shower, it has been more than two months."

"YESTERDAY MORNING TIME: I SLEPT AT 05.00"

Stating that he spends the whole day playing on his mobile phone, Barış Özbay stated that he does not want to organize his life and does not even want to take a shower, and said: "I kill time with my phone, I play all day long because I have nothing else to do. I sleep when I feel sleepy. I slept at 05:00 yesterday, I slept earlier the next day, and it changes from day to day. I was hospitalized for about 3 months, but there was no change in my life. I will not fully understand how psychologists work, but most likely, I guess, treatment methods help people with their own situation. About explaining that it's not that bad.

"I DON'T WANT TO BE FIXED, I CAN FIX IF I WANT"

The patient, who understands his situation, gradually improves. But I am already aware of everything, and I know how to fix it. I could get better if I wanted, but I don't want to, there is no need and I don't want to live. If you ask how to fix it, it's simple, just go for it. For example, I feel uncomfortable doing things right now. If I want to get better, I will start simply by taking a shower.

"I HAVE PHYSICAL PAIN"

It will bother you at first, but once you get used to it, it won't bother you. So you will address everything that bothers you. But I don't want that discomfort. I'm more comfortable this way. I have physical pain because of my illness. But minor physical pains don't bother me much. Games or movies etc. affect it, but it doesn't affect it as much as it affects a normal person," he said.

"EVERYTHING ENDS WITH MOTHER AND DAD"

Stating that parents have a high influence on the child's personality and behavior, Özbay stated that playing on the phone and what he experiences in games no longer affect him and said, "I think everything ends with the parents. If you raise the child properly, he will not be affected much. The child may see a murderer in a TV series or movie and think he is cool and do something. But it is not our fault, it is the parents' fault for raising the child badly."

"IF I KILL A FLY, IT HURTS"

For example, God knows how many people I have killed in games, but even if I kill a fly right now, it hurts. The games didn't impress me that much. The fact that I constantly play on my phone has an effect on this situation. It definitely has an impact, but I don't think it's the main factor. It may cause it to get worse. What the effect is, I have no idea. I don't really care. I'm in this situation now. "If I think about and find the main effect of my situation, what will be solved? It is unnecessary, so there is no need to think about it," he said.

"I WOULDN'T EVEN EAT FOOD IF I COULD"

Stating that he does not do his personal care and has not taken a shower for more than 2 months, Özbay stated that being at home makes him happy and said, "I don't do my personal care and I don't take a shower. As I said, I don't even eat if I can. I don't even go out to the garden. There is no need. I wonder what will happen if I go out, nothing will change and I don't feel like it. They gave me medicine at the hospital. If I continue those medicines, I will probably get better. I need to go to the doctor after the medicine is finished, but I don't want to.

"MY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT"

I don't want to go out, see or communicate with the doctor. That's why the painkiller they give works. That's why I buy it and use it all the time now. It's a harmful painkiller but I don't care. If you ask me what I think about this life of mine, it is beautiful and perfect. I am happy, I am fine, there is no problem. People are still trying to help. I can't say that these news are very empty.

"BEING AT HOME IS ENOUGH FOR ME"

I met people, made new friends. Other than that, it had no impact on my life. My life is beautiful, I am happy. I don't care if I suffer or anything. Being at home is enough for me. While I was in the hospital, I met two people who were sick like me. One of them is currently trying to establish his life. He couldn't talk at all while he was there. He's doing a little better now, working a little more and so on. We chat from time to time. "It has no effect on me," he said.