Why Vaccines and COVID-19 are Widely Denied in Bulgaria? A Psychiatrist Answers

Those who reject the existence of the coronavirus experience unconscious shame and fear. Shame on one's own weakness and fear of disintegrating when exposed to the virus, psychiatrist David Ieroham told DW.

David Ieroham is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He was born in 1947 in Sofia, graduated from the Medical Academy, where he specialized in psychiatry, and is also involved in psychodrama. He is a university lecturer and author of publications in the field of psychiatry, psychotherapy and culture.

Mr. Ieroham, how has the pandemic crisis affected the mental health of our society? Apart from being a bystander, what are your personal observations of your patients?

David Ieroham: I can't give a generalized assessment or group people. Everyone reacts more or less individually, according to their personal character, history, attitudes. Some demonstrate natural fear, withdrawal from life, closure, many worries and efforts to protect themselves. On the other side is a carefree, courage, arrogance.

Unfortunately, in our society there is a lack of sincerity, there is much more hypocrisy, intentionality. There are people who ignore, are not afraid, or simply do not pay attention to Covid-19. However, it is important to respect the fears of others.

Aren't anti-vaccination and coronavirus rejection compensatory mechanisms through which an attempt is made to psychologically go through a crisis of this magnitude more easily and painlessly?

David Ieroham: It depends on how this is demonstrated. Yes, there is an arrogant, "television" type of anti-vaccination, protest. It is a way to assert yourself...