The impact of the Gaza war on the psychology of children...traumas that last a long time

Weather of Arabia - The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and the military conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement leaves wide effects on the lives of the population, and these effects are not limited to the current period only, but may be long-term, and after nearly several weeks of clashes that the region witnessed, adults and children are suffering. Both psychological traumas may last a lifetime.

In a recent report published by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , it was confirmed that children under the age of 18 in the Gaza Strip are in urgent need of psychological support as a result of repeated conflicts and military operations.

Since the beginning of the events, children have lived under constant bombardment. Many have been displaced to shelters, suffering from a lack of food and clean water. Reports indicate that children in Gaza are suffering from symptoms of severe trauma. Because of the scenes of destruction and violent events they witnessed during recent weeks.

The severe psychological effects of war on children in Gaza

Quoting the psychiatrist in Gaza, Fadel Abu Hin, the psychological impact of war is clearly visible on children, especially with regard to severe psychological trauma, and these traumas manifest themselves in multiple manifestations such as fear, nervousness, convulsions, aggressive behavior, and even problems such as bed-wetting and separation. About their parents.

One Palestinian woman, who was forced to leave her home in the north of the Gaza Strip and settle in an UNRWA school in the south, said that her two sons suffer from severe sleep disorders, and this requires providing them with support and comfort.

The World Health Organization estimates that 120,000 people suffer from psychological disorders as a result of the recent war alone, and this number is likely to increase significantly as the conflict continues to escalate, or in the event of a ground invasion by the Israeli army.

Children bear the burden of conflict and psychological effects in the Gaza Strip

The American magazine Forbes said that children are bearing the great burden of the escalating conflict at the present time, and the magazine indicates that there are serious psychological effects resulting from this conflict, such as the constant fear that afflicts children and the feeling of danger to their lives, and the testimony of witnessing their homes and property being subjected to great destruction, in addition to displacement. Temporary or even permanent, and the loss of food security, and all of these factors will have long-term effects.

What further exacerbates this humanitarian crisis is the severe lack of access to clean water and sanitation services, in addition to the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition among children in Gaza. Psychological consultant Jamal Farwaiz indicates that the current war will leave serious psychological effects on the residents of the Gaza Strip, who They number about 2.5 million people, and these effects are expected to be particularly severe on children and other groups of the population.

The effects of the current war on the psychological state of the population in Gaza:

• The effects of conflicts and wars vary from person to person, and are more severe on people who suffer from pre-existing psychological problems such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, in addition to children and young people who can be greatly affected.
• Scenes of violence, blood, and destruction cause serious psychological disturbances and leave difficult memories that last for a long time in the minds of children, especially when they lose one of their relatives.
• During a period of mass destruction, residents can come together psychologically to cooperate and support each other, but reactions vary between people, especially for those suffering from post-traumatic stress.
• Common psychological symptoms such as panic, sleep and feeding disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and behavioral disorders appear in children, along with physical symptoms resulting from stress such as vomiting, skin infections, and digestive system problems.

It is expected that psychological disorders will continue for a long time after the end of the war, and may appear in some people for up to 6 continuous months.

How do you provide psychological support to Palestinians outside Gaza?

What about the pain that Palestinian family members are experiencing outside Gaza, whether in Arab countries, or in any other country in the world, while some of their family members find themselves stuck inside Gaza? Their situation is tragic in itself, as they face psychological torment and fear beyond what can be imagined under normal circumstances, and they are in dire need of psychological support and assistance.

Regarding psychological support, Dr. Reham Haddad, a writer and psychological researcher, says that one of the first steps that can be taken is to provide support through words of condolence and expressions of solidarity with these families, and we must reassure them of the deeper truth, which lies in our belief that God is always by our side. This faith is considered the most brilliant, fastest, most honest and most effective psychological treatment, and it is the doctrinal part of faith that can strengthen hearts and give hope and steadfastness in the face of difficulties.

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Sources:

skynewsarabia

youm7

aa.com

aljazeera