Conflict, Crisis & Consequences

Like Adam’s mother, many of us may not be naturally drawn to a sense of contentment or happiness these days. Some have described it as feeling ‘down, unable to concentrate and not really interested in anything.’ There’s little to laugh about as we live in a time when the scope of armed conflict in the world is wide spread and we’re faced with reports of danger and disaster on an hourly basis - from scanning social media sites as soon as we open our eyes, to reading reports or watching live 24-hour footage about lost lives and devastation. Even while stationed in the safety our own home, we’re constantly swallowing the bitter reality of injustice. But physical proximity or geography isn’t the main contributor of fear and anxiety. Researchers from UC Irvine found repeated exposure to violent images led to an increase in physical and psychological ailments among a wide range of viewers of different age and racial backgrounds, having long-lasting negative impact on mental health. This is mostly due to a cognitive mechanism referred to as ‘mirror neurons’ so while reflecting on suffering, many feel what the victims feel because our brain artificially mirrors or mimics similar sensations. So the next time you’re watching a stranger on the big screen experiencing tragedy, hardship or loss, it’s likely that you may need to reach for tissues to wipe your tears due to your these empathy related neurons. Thankfully the same applies to happy moments and laughter.

Needless to say, the psychological impact of war on those that live through it is far more severe and everlasting than the discomfort and sadness we may temporarily experience through secondary exposure. Some of the more common psychological effects that have been reported by civilians and soldiers exposed to armed conflict include:

> Disturbances in sleep due to recurring nightmares

> Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

> Depression

> Irrational anxieties

> Psychosomatic symptoms

> Paranoia

> Feelings of persecution

> Bystander guilt as a result of witnessing casualties

> Profound feelings of helplessness

> Constant fear and feelings of aggression

The most vulnerable group affected by war are children. While many, sadly, become another statistic in the senseless murder masked as mass casualties, those who survive, suffer the impact far longer. Organisations such as the Red Cross, World Vision and those who work with children affected by war highlight the harrowing reports of children having witnessed and experienced violence, losing their parents and family members and becoming homeless or displaced without a moment’s notice.

The physical impact on a child’s brain living in conflict has been extensively researched and results reveal that often permanent changes occur in the brain and its’ subsequent development. If left untreated and without intervention, these children may develop learning disabilities, memory issues, heightened fight and flight responses leading to a near constant state of stress and fear. Due to elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, there can be both short and long-term issues with memory and an inability to appropriately regulate emotions.

Psychological, social and mental health problems experienced by these children can have an effect on the rest of their lives in areas such as:

> Emotional and behavioural issues

> Truancy

> Substance abuse

> Risk of suicide

> Low academic achievement

> Lowered confidence and self-esteem

> Weaker or non-existent emotional attachments

> Delay in developmental milestones

Even after the conflict has passed, the damage for civilians and soldiers who lived through it are profoundly disturbing. As Plato wisely said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” Veterans of war often report an increase in the symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) such as reliving some of the violence mentally and experiencing disturbing and recurring nightmares. Deterioration in both physical and mental health due to repression of horrific memories as well as survivor guilt are some of the other outcomes indirectly passed on to the next generation. Children of survivors gradually become aware of their parents’ pain as they struggle through the conscious and unconscious memories of the atrocities of war.

The case against armed conflict is clear yet it still happens. Tremendous economic spending (that could be used to develop society), crimes against humanity, gross violation of sanity and security, high number of casualties, and the disastrous legacy left behind in the aftermath, makes one wonder why we haven’t been able to evolve and advance as a species to acknowledge and avoid such devastation. Still, hope is the bridge between tragedy and recovery and so we shall continue building a solid path towards basic human rights for all.

Dr. Samineh I. Shaheem is the Learning & Development Director at Kawader (www.kawaderuae.com), assistant professor of psychology and the owner of Life Clubs UAE. She has studied and worked in different parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, and now the UAE. She co-hosts a radio program on 103.8 FM Dubai Eye (Psyched Sundays, Voices of Diversity 10-12pm) every Sunday morning discussing the most relevant psychological issues in our community. Twitter: @saminehshaheem/Facebook: Life