Is Zelenskyy OK? Ukrainian President looks frail and distressed amid the ongoing war
Russia's war on Ukraine seems to have taken a toll on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's health. In the latest pics of the president, he is seen maintaining a bearded face with his forehead scrunched in distress, fine lines on his face, and his eyes with heavy bags underneath.
According to Glenn Patrick Doyle, a trauma psychologist, such physical signs can appear on anyone who is experiencing intense trauma and stress, particularly during wartime. Trauma and stress wreak havoc on the human body after prolonged exposure, and over time, sleep, attention, memory, mood, physical appearance, and so much else get impacted.
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In a conversation with NPR, psychologist, Doyle said, "The thing to understand about trauma and the body is that stress responses kind of hijack every otherwise normal function of our body." He added, "The bodily processes that keep us focused and regulated on a normal day get kind of suspended for the duration of the stressor and replaced with processes designed to help us just get through the stressful experience."
Doyle also pointed out that the people of Ukraine, particularly Zelenskyy, are likely experiencing these symptoms as they struggle against the Russian invasion and constant air raid sirens.
As head of his country, Zelenskyy is in a particularly unique position and one that can have long-term health impacts. Doyle says presidents and other leaders of nations, like Zelenskyy, are often in an even lonelier and stressful place that can manifest itself in a physical transformation while they are in office. Doyle says, "Presidents are in a uniquely lonely position. Few people around them understand the pressures they're under, and there are few people they can confide in to take some of the pressure off. "
"They don't get to lay down their leadership roles or responsibilities, especially in crisis times," he said. "Imagine what would happen to even the best constructed, best maintained race car if it was never allowed to slow down or refuel--that car WILL cease functioning well, the longer it's red-lined."
A similar example to Zelenskyy's condition is US President Joe Biden. Many reports have been written about how the US President seem to be aging quickly while in office. Often, images from the time he entered the office and those from his final days at the White House are compared. The President often displays more lines, more grey hair, or heavier bags under their eyes than they did on their first days in the White House.
However, in the case of Zelenskyy, where he is dealing with the attack on his country for over a month now, experts claim that he is still probably in a distressful situation and it may have several health impacts in the future.