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Roberto Saviano Reveals Psychological Toll of Nearly 20 Years Under Police Protection

The author of 'Gomorra' shares his struggles with panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and guilt over the impact of his anti-Mafia work on his family.

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Overview

  • Roberto Saviano, under police protection since 2006 due to Mafia threats, has disclosed severe psychological distress in recent interviews.
  • He revealed experiencing frequent panic attacks, a sense of isolation, and past suicidal ideation as a result of his constant surveillance and restricted life.
  • Saviano expressed deep guilt over his family's forced relocation and isolation, which he attributes to the consequences of his anti-Mafia stance.
  • The author described feeling trapped between the threat to his life and accusations that his survival undermines the credibility of the danger he faces.
  • Saviano is exploring the possibility of assuming a new identity and pursuing a more anonymous life to escape the unrelenting burden of his current existence.