Istanbul: As heatwaves scorch cities, wildfires consume landscapes and floods force communities from their homes, the effects of climate change are increasingly being felt not only in the physical world but also in people’s minds. For some, anxiety about the future can spiral beyond concern into what experts call “eco-paralysis” – a state of hopelessness, emotional shutdown, and inaction driven by overwhelming fears about environmental destruction.

According to Anadolu Agency, Psychiatrist and Uskudar University Founding Rector Nevzat Tarhan highlights that while climate anxiety is a natural response to a real threat, it can become psychologically damaging when people begin to feel powerless to influence what comes next. He explains that anxiety in the face of a threat is a human response, but becoming frozen instead of producing solutions is an unhealthy reaction.

Tarhan describes eco-paralysis as a condition marked by apathy, lack of motivation, low energy, and indifference. Other symptoms can include sleep problems, social withdrawal, distraction, guilt, and anger. He notes that this condition is dangerous and harms the individual, potentially preventing them from contributing positively to society. Eco-paralysis is described as a form of anhedonic depression, characterized by reduced motivation, energy, and desire.

Referring to UN assessments of future global risks, Tarhan mentions that the psychological effects of climate change are particularly visible among younger generations. As young people witness concrete examples of climate change, they physically feel its effects, and their anxiety increases. When they see indifference from adults and decision-makers, they fall into hopelessness and pessimism, leading to eco-paralysis. Hope disappears, social ties weaken, and people begin to freeze because of a perception of impending disaster.

Tarhan observes that some young people are increasingly influenced by the “bad world syndrome” – the belief that the world is becoming steadily worse and that future prospects are bleak. Faced with this outlook, some young people withdraw, some become aggressive, and others fall into depression. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable because they are frequently exposed to climate-related news and disaster imagery through social media and other digital platforms.

Tarhan emphasizes the importance of recognizing the climate crisis as a real threat but warns against exaggerating it. He advises against becoming trapped in a cycle of helplessness, as hopelessness and pessimism are the brain’s greatest enemies. Denying or trivializing the problem is not the answer, but neither is exaggerating it into an identity-based anxiety, which can lead to eco-paralysis becoming a psychiatric disorder.

Tarhan advocates for encouraging people to participate in environmental activities and community initiatives, suggesting that collective action can help counter feelings of helplessness. Building new social connections, fostering hope, and investing in the future through collective action are recommended to combat the mental health toll of the climate crisis.