In his book Consolations (Lannoo, 2022) Dirk De Wachter (62) is very candid about the physical misery that his cancer treatment entailed and the search for the essentials that accompany such a difficult period. At the same time, he stands up for health care in our country, which he values both technically and humanly highly, but for which our society does not show sufficient appreciation.
First of all, a question that you are often asked: how are you?
Since my cancer diagnosis, I have indeed been asked that question invariably. Usually I quote from The evenings by Gerard Reve to reply. “It’s going bad, otherwise it’s going well.” I’m in good shape given the circumstances and they’re just not good. Nevertheless, I am a happy person. I am lovingly surrounded and that is worth a lot. Even more so in difficult times. It makes life beautiful, despite the difficulties.
In your book ‘Consolation’ you look for meaning in the end of life. Where do you find it?
I am concerned with the presence of the other and, paradoxically, also the care for the other. In the misery I found myself in during my treatment, I realized how necessary the presence and care of my loved ones and the healthcare professionals was. Strangely enough, in that state I could mean something to many people. That gave me great pleasure.
People felt comforted by my testimony about my illness, in the media and in my book.
My comfort was that as a psychiatrist I could also be caring for others, even in that condition.
Does this experience help you in your profession?
Doubtless. I think I have become a better psychiatrist over the years thanks to the accumulated life experience. As a psychiatrist, I often encountered suicidality. Although I have always been very eager to live and enjoy living, during my treatment I was soon tempted to fantasize about a button next to my bed that would put me out of my misery. I was even shocked that that feeling came over me so quickly.
You have contributed to the accessibility of mental health care in recent years. How do you envision its future?
I am a hopeful person, so I hope that movement continues. That goes with trial and error. Obviously it is not. Initiatives like Too Crazy!? which I contributed to, but also Ups & Downs vzw, UilenSpiegel, PsychoseNet and other organizations are working hard towards a society in which the thresholds are lower than when I started thirty years ago. Still, we should not sit back complacently and think that the battle is over. Perpetrators of aggression who suffer from psychological problems are increasingly covered in the media. However, most people with mental health problems are victims. Let’s not forget that.
In your fight to remove taboo mental health care, you gave psychiatry a face. How do you handle that?
This mediatization has advantages and disadvantages. My profession is one of lee, of silence and humble listening, with the curtains drawn. Being in the spotlight is good for giving psychiatry a human face, but after that I have to go back to darkness. That’s double, but I try to deal with it as best I can. This mediatization helps me to increase my radius of action.
In your book you also argue for more appreciation for the general healthcare sector. How great is the lack of it?
We have excellent care in our country, both technically and humanly. I was able to experience that personally, and not just because I now happen to have a well-known face.
A miscreant wrote that I speak well as half BV. That is definitely not my message.
The healthcare sector does fantastic work, also for less well-known people. I found that reaction an insult to the sector and it shows that the appreciation of care is not sufficiently recognized as essential for human existence.
What is the importance of meaning, spirituality and religion in mental health care?
A difficult question. Man is a spiritual being. The mystery of our humanity keeps us busy and that is emphatically reflected in healthcare, where death lurks around the corner and sometimes looks you in the eye. Such essentials should not be referred exclusively to the psychologists and pastoral workers, but should be part of the care pathway. Both professionally and voluntarily, just think of informal carers.
