The UNHCR signaled that Mr. BK, a recognized refugee from Afghanistan, needs psychological intervention, but Mr. BK also contacted Cordelia Foundation for medical help on his own. Mr. BK grew up in Afghanistan and since he was 13 has felt that he is attracted to his own sex. This caused a great deal of anxiety and depression, and he sought medical help to alleviate the symptoms. He never revealed his sexual orientation to anyone. Succumbing to the pressure from his parents he got married when he was 25, to a woman his parents chose for him. They have three children and Mr. BK is in a good relationship with his wife, but has never told her his real orientation as he feels his wife would not accept him. He graduated from college as a physiotherapist and worked in a hospital. On the surface he led a traditional family life but secretly tried to meet men, whom he contacted via a homosexual dating site. In 2015 he met a man who attacked him and probably wanted to kill him, but he survived the attack with serious injuries. The person attacking him was a religious fanatic.
His anxiety began to worsen after the attack and he fled with his family once it became possible. They were on the road for two years. His condition was undulating during the two-year journey but remained manageable at all times. In the transit zone, however, he was suffering from panic attacks, anxiety and depression as he was locked up in a closed place with a large number of Muslim men. As a result, he was referred to a psychiatrist and received medical treatment (three different drugs).
He subjectively assesses his situation to be better than it was before. Yet Mr. BK reports sleeping problems and nightmares of incapacitation, choking, and detention. Panic attacks have considerably subsided, but still manifest themselves in closed rooms. He stills suffers from memory problems, feelings of alienation, and fear of another panic attack. Yet he is positive, has plans for the future, and does not show somatic symptoms. The wounds he suffered from the attack are clearly visible.
Mr. BK suffers from severe, chronic, depression-dominated PTSD, which as a result of the re-traumatization in the transit zone reactivated and surfaced with symptoms of panic attacks.