Deadly loyalty

Why people are more afraid to show independence from society

In recent weeks, Russians have been experiencing psychological shock for the second time after February 24. And this time much stronger. If, after February, most people, with small exceptions, were worried mainly about what would become with their consumer basket, then after the declaration of “partial mobilization” came the realization that we were talking about their own lives or the lives of their loved ones. From the position of an indifferent observer, they suddenly found themselves in the position of an “innocent” victim. So in reality for many, this is the first real psychological trauma after the start of a special military operation. Without claiming wide generalizations, I will share observations from my professional activity as a psychotherapist. As well as from the experience of everyday communication with people.

In the field of psychotherapeutic practice, I noticed the following phenomena: some patients suffering from neurotic disorders or depression took place. Although in some cases the opposite was observed: the previously existing neurotic symptoms disappeared, and their place was occupied by experiences associated with the current situation associated with partial mobilization.

At the same time, some people did not have obvious signs of anxiety. I explain this by the work of psychological protective mechanisms in the form of denial and rationalization. Some chose for themselves a comfortable point of view, reducing a sense of danger or giving some positive meaning to what is happening:

“Partial mobilization will affect a few, everything will somehow cost”; “I/my loved one have no combat experience, therefore, if they call, I/he will (e) in the rear”; “Few are dying, I will most likely return”, etc.

Some deliberately limited themselves to reading news and concentrated exclusively on everyday matters.

As for communication in the family, a semantic drama was often observed when directly opposite views on what was happening. Something similar to what took place after the February events, but in an even more grotesque and terrible option. For example, a man does not want to undergo partial mobilization, and his parents say that he is a coward and should go to serve. Well, or the opposite situation, when a family member says that he will go as soon as the agenda comes, despite the horror of loved ones and their attempts to dissuade him.

In my opinion, the most shocking is a reaction that can be determined as learned helplessness: “I don’t want to go, but if the agenda comes, I’ll go ...” what you do ... ”and moreover, some begin to purchase armor, special equipment and other equipment in advance at their own expense.

Which is most surprising, this reaction takes place in people who are without enthusiasm related to his.

Of course, not everyone behaves in such a way, which, in particular, is evidenced by the ongoing stream of Russians to neighboring countries. I recall a joke about his rope ...

Not so long ago, we discussed the reasons for such humility to fate with one psychotherapist’s colleague. His point of view was that these people show conformal behavior and more death are afraid to show autonomy and somehow contrast themselves with the surrounding society. In my opinion, the matter does not come down only to this. I think that such behavior is closer to the post -traumatic reaction of the numbness, which consists in the fact that with a real or imaginary threat, a living organism falls into a stupor and does not even try to run away or resist. Such a reaction, on the one hand, is predetermined biologically - to surrender without a fight before the enemy superior in strength, to numb, to pretend to be dead. On the other hand, this reaction can intensify due to personal experience.

As the heirs of the totalitarian Soviet Union, a deeply rooted fear of the state is more or less inherent in us to all of us. As Vladimir Voinovich wrote with self -irony in one of his novels: "I am always timid to the commanders."

The symbols of state power act as the glory of the Gorgon Medusa, paralyzing the will. The origins of this are quite understandable, because the manifestation of humility and loyalty to the state for many years was the key to survival.

In my opinion, sociological surveys showing the consistently high rating of the president, the approval of the accession of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, etc. show the rooted habit of loyalty, etc. Representatives of the liberal public often criticize the results of such surveys and say that they do not reflect the real point of view of the respondents (which I strongly doubt). But even if you agree with this argument, that is, what these results undoubtedly demonstrate is increased readiness to show loyalty even in a situation where there is no real danger. After all, no one has yet been persecuted for the “wrong” answers in the council.

Why this behavior is inherent in people who themselves did not experience fear of night arrests, were not subjected to interrogations, torture, conclusion, deportations, - psychological studies regarding the transfer of mental injury from generation to generation explain.

Traumatic experience is transmitted through the emotional states that parents experience, samples of behavior that they demonstrate, vowel and unspoken family rules.

Psychologists suggest that a serious collective mental trauma is basically getting out of the third generation. However, in our case, we should make an amendment that in Russian society there were no conditions for overcoming the injury of totalitarianism.

Summing up, we can conclude that the survival strategy in the form of meek subordination and loyalty, useful during the time of totalitarian rule, once again failed and has now turned into its exact opposite, threatening death.

As for more optimistic conclusions, a psychological analysis of people's behavior in various extreme situations, from natural disasters to imprisonment in concentration camps, showed that those who did not leave attempts to influence the situation, despite its apparent hopelessness, had a greater chance.

The critical situation is always an existential challenge, actualizing the experiences of responsibility, guilt, and uncertainty.

And in our case, this challenge is addressed to a large extent how we can maintain a sense of inner freedom.