Unfortunately, there are countless wars and armed conflicts that have occurred throughout the history of humanity. The reasons that have given rise to them are multiple and varied. However, something that changes little is the fact that a war has great and serious consequences for the people who experience it.
Since the symptoms can vary depending on each person, throughout this article we will explain in detail what the effects of trauma caused by war are.
For this, We will address the most basic aspects that allow us to define what traumas as a result of war are.. Next we will see both the psychological, physical and socioeconomic effects.
What do we understand when we talk about trauma caused by war?
When talking about traumas caused by war, we place ourselves within the trauma known as type I. This refers to the traces left by an experience in which the physical integrity of the person has been in serious danger.
In this case, the fact of having been exposed in some way to a war conflict undoubtedly generates consequences on a physical, emotional and/or psychological level. It is true that the consequences can vary depending on what each person has experienced and their own coping resources.
One of the diagnoses most associated with war trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder.also known as PTSD by its acronym. The impact of war conflicts began to generate clinical interest and be widely studied after the First and Second World Wars. The impact on soldiers was mainly studied.
It has been as a result of the most recent war conflicts (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, etc.) and, to a certain extent thanks to globalization, that awareness and study of the impact on people has also begun to be promoted. citizens. Fortunately, today, no one doubts the devastating consequences that a war entails at all levels.
Psychological effects
As we mentioned previously, one of the most frequently observed psychological consequences in people who have experienced war in some way is post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a serious mental health pathology that is mainly characterized by the involuntary re-experiencing of trauma.
The main symptoms are associated with intrusive memories about the traumatic event (or events) – it can occur in the form of flashbacks and/or recurring nightmares -, avoidance behaviors, feelings of hopelessness, disconnection from the environment and from oneself. , low self-esteem and difficulty maintaining ties with others.
In addition, memory difficulties can also be observed – gaps or forgetfulness may appear in relation to what has been experienced – loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable, changes in mood and difficulty feeling pleasant emotions. Some people have difficulty managing anger and exhibit aggressive behavior along with intense feelings of guilt and/or shame.
Finally, A state of constant hyperalertness characterized by a lot of physical and emotional tension also stands out.constantly feeling in danger and being easily scared. All of this, without a doubt, can cause difficulties sleeping, concentrating and triggering self-destructive or self-harming behaviors.
As if all of the above were not enough, many people develop other mental health pathologies as a result of their experiences. It is not unusual to find serious symptoms of isolation, anxiety and/or depression, for example. Of course, the impacts generated at a psychological and emotional level directly affect the rest of the areas of people’s lives.
While it is true that the psychological consequences of having experienced a war are undeniable, we cannot say that they are the only ones. On a physical level, people may have suffered wounds, injuries, amputations and any other type of impairment. Its intensity and degree of physical limitation will vary depending on your exposure to the conflict or your experience.
Furthermore, everything stated in the previous section, the psychological or emotional effects and consequences, can trigger physical symptoms as well. The body and our mind are connected, we are a whole, and in these types of situations the connection is easily observable.. It is common to find physical ailments that frequently do not have an organic origin.
Along the same lines, the stress generated in the body both during the conflict and afterwards can have serious consequences for health. Chronic stress increases the probability of suffering from other types of diseases such as cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases. Likewise, the functioning of the immune system is altered.
Social and economic effects
It has already been mentioned before that everything experienced has a very serious impact on an individual level, but it also affects people’s relational ties. Frequently, people who are suffering from the consequences of war have a greater tendency toward social isolation and report many problems at a relational level—both with family, at work, and with friends.
These difficulties connecting on an interpersonal level, along with problems regulating their own emotions and physical sensations as well as managing anger and aggressive outbursts, can contribute to an increase in episodes of domestic violence. People often feel isolated, disconnected from society and the community..
On a social level, it is important to understand that all of this also generates a great impact. War trauma can contribute to the perpetuation of cycles of violence due to a lack of support, understanding of the situation and addressing the problems.
At an economic level, war trauma can contribute to the perpetuation of poverty since people who suffer from it can have real difficulties in maintaining their jobs. Furthermore, the high cost that its treatment can entail cannot be ignored. Without a doubt, situations of dependency on social aid or benefits may increase.
