Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Conflict Zones: Causes, Impact, and Treatment
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a profound mental health issue that emerges as a result of exposure to extremely stressful or life-threatening events. Among the most affected populations are individuals who live in or have fled from conflict zones, especially children. This article will discuss the causes of PTSD, its impact on individuals — particularly in conflict zones like Israel and Palestine — and how PTSD is treated.
What Causes PTSD in Conflict Zones?
The primary causes of PTSD are traumatic events that involve a threat to life or personal integrity. Experiences such as witnessing violence, losing loved ones, and displacement from homes are all too common in conflict zones, significantly increasing the risk of PTSD.
In conflict zones like Palestine and Israel, these traumatic events are part of the daily lives of the residents. Persistent exposure to violence, coupled with chronic insecurity and uncertainty, foster an environment conducive to the development of PTSD. This situation is representative of various conflict zones around the world.
Impact of PTSD: How Does PTSD Affect the Brain and Overall Health?
PTSD doesn't stop at emotional distress — it affects brain function and overall health. Chronic stress alters the brain's structure and function, impairing memory, attention, and decision-making.
PTSD can cause hypersensitivity to threats, manifesting as heightened anxiety, irritability, and aggression. Sufferers may also experience intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, leading to significant distress and disruption of daily life.
The physical health impacts are equally serious, with PTSD being associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and other health problems.
Treatment of PTSD in Conflict Zones
Treating PTSD — especially in conflict zones — can be complex due to the ongoing nature of trauma and limited resources. Treatment of PTSD typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and community-based support.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) — including exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring — have proven effective in treating PTSD. These approaches help individuals confront their fears and challenge distressing thoughts about their traumatic experiences.
Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are often used to manage the symptoms of PTSD. In conflict zones, however, access to these medications can be limited.
Community-based support is critical, especially in areas with limited mental health services. Family members, community leaders, and local organizations can play essential roles in providing emotional support, reducing stigma, and facilitating access to care.
Given the increasing mental health crisis in the Middle East, prioritizing mental health in conflict zones is of the utmost importance. The trauma induced by living in conflict zones leads to a high prevalence of PTSD. Understanding the causes and impacts of PTSD, along with effective treatment of PTSD, is crucial in aiding those affected and finding solutions to this pressing issue. It's imperative to prioritize mental health, extend support, and provide accessible treatment options to those living amidst conflict.
The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) continues to provide humanitarian aid and medical relief to children and their families — some of whom are refugees fleeing their home countries — through our pediatric cancer departments, humanitarian aid programs and projects, hospital infrastructure projects, orphan and refugee sponsorships, medical sponsorships, treatment abroad program, and medical missions. These efforts help to ensure that children in need get the vital assistance they require.
Following the bombings of Gaza in 2014, PCRF established a pediatric mental health program to support traumatized children. Since then, we have expanded the program to include the victims of violence and those with diseases like cancer. This program has been helping thousands of children and families in Gaza to better manage the anxiety, stress, and challenges of life under siege and occupation.
PCRF has a committee of volunteer doctors and specialists on our Medical Advisory Board who are dedicated to building up services through training, programs, and guiding PCRF to improve the quality of pediatric care in Palestine, Lebanon, and other areas in the Middle East.
PCRF is not a political or religious organization. Our mission is to provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to Arab children throughout the Middle East, regardless of their nationality, politics, or religion. We rely on charitable giving to provide medical treatment, surgeries, safety, shelter, and support to children and their families in Palestine and the Levant. Find out how you can get involved and help make a difference in children’s lives today!