After the pandemic, a part of the Bulgarian population is falling into depression

The economic and financial system loses more than 620 billion euros a year due to absenteeism caused by depression and burn out, says a European Parliament report.

In the Bulgarian nation, around 30-35% of people explain their mental discomfort by problems at work. But this is not the only cause. With the Covid-19 pandemic, solitary confinement, and now the war in Ukraine, the mental health of Bulgarians is deteriorating dramatically.

“We are seeing an increase in neurotic states such as panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorders of all kinds,” says Dr. Tsvétéslava Galabova, psychiatrist and director of the public psychiatric hospital “St. John of Rila” on Radio Bulgaria, adding:

“This environment full of insecurity, instability, increasing demands on the individual to overcome difficulties exhausts mental energy and favors the appearance of anxiety disorders. In Bulgaria, we have huge problems with the working environment. Many work without a contract or under conditions that do not correspond to their agreement.

More and more people are working without social security contributions, with long working days or in an inappropriate environment. On the other hand, people are becoming more and more neurotic, anxious, and disoriented and this has a significant influence on the relationships in the workplace. All this forms a vicious circle that contributes to the increase of neurotic disorders in Bulgaria.

“This is because the media is constantly pouring out bad news,” says Dr. Galabova. “Most people watch TV for information, and TV journalists themselves recognize that bad news ‘sells’ best and put it first. You can see how the news starts: murders, serious road accidents, burglaries, problems of all kinds. All this is extremely harmful to our mental health.”

She points out that mental health does not deteriorate overnight. Disorders appear gradually over time as a result of an accumulation of problems. You suppress them for a while, then it breaks down, and the first symptoms appear sweating, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, etc. At this stage, it is good to consult a specialist.

Bulgarians are shy and refuse to admit that they need professional help in such circumstances. The problem is also financial because the National Health Insurance Fund does not reimburse psychotherapy costs. In the end, anxiety disorders go untreated, which can have serious consequences.

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After the pandemic, a part of the Bulgarian population is falling into depression

Home » After the pandemic, a part of the Bulgarian population is falling into depression

The economic and financial system loses more than 620 billion euros a year due to absenteeism caused by depression and burn out, says a European Parliament report. In the Bulgarian nation, around 30-35% of people explain their mental discomfort by problems at work. But this is not the only cause. With the Covid-19 pandemic, solitary confinement, and now the war in Ukraine, the mental health of Bulgarians is deteriorating dramatically. "We are seeing an increase in neurotic states such as panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorders of all kinds," says Dr. Tsvétéslava Galabova, psychiatrist and director of the public psychiatric hospital "St. John of Rila" on Radio Bulgaria, adding: "This environment full of insecurity, instability, increasing demands on the individual to overcome difficulties exhausts mental energy and favors the appearance of anxiety disorders. In Bulgaria, we have huge problems with the working environment. Many work without a contract or under conditions that do not correspond to their agreement. More and more people are working without social security contributions, with long working days or in an inappropriate environment. On the other hand, people are becoming more and more neurotic, anxious, and disoriented and this has a significant influence on the relationships in the workplace. All this forms a vicious circle that contributes to the increase of neurotic disorders in Bulgaria.

15% suffer from mental disorders at some point in their lives. Of course, the cause is not always work-related stress. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health and Analysis, anxiety, depression, phobias, and addiction to alcohol or drugs are among the mental disorders common in our country. The media also contribute to an unhealthy mental environment. "This is because the media is constantly pouring out bad news," says Dr. Galabova. "Most people watch TV for information, and TV journalists themselves recognize that bad news 'sells' best and put it first. You can see how the news starts: murders, serious road accidents, burglaries, problems of all kinds. All this is extremely harmful to our mental health." She points out that mental health does not deteriorate overnight. Disorders appear gradually over time as a result of an accumulation of problems. You suppress them for a while, then it breaks down, and the first symptoms appear sweating, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, etc. At this stage, it is good to consult a specialist. Bulgarians are shy and refuse to admit that they need professional help in such circumstances. The problem is also financial because the National Health Insurance Fund does not reimburse psychotherapy costs. In the end, anxiety disorders go untreated, which can have serious consequences.