The war Syrians had to go through, with its various losses of human and financial resources and emotional trauma, was enough to trigger the natural and genetic predisposition of several mental illnesses and disorders. One of the most important and heavily ignored disorders is General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Anxiety is known to be a temporary feeling, a precautionary behavior or a fear with no explanation; but when it aggravates into a state of excessive stress, one that can possibly put a hold on our lives and bring along some physical symptoms that extend for over a couple of months, the symptoms start falling under General Anxiety Disorder.
General Anxiety Disorder is known to be more common among women, and that could be clearly seen during the war, when Syrian women struggled with fear and redundant burdens to keep their families safe and financially stable. According to studies made on a proportion of Syrians affected by war in and outside of Syria, it was found that the percentages of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) ranged between 16-84%, Depression 11-49%, and General Anxiety 49-55%.
To this day, there is no official theory or explanation regarding the root of General Anxiety Disorder. It is believed that the surrounding environment – similar to the one Syrians went through due to displacement, economic collapse, and unstable households – is the main factor that triggers this disorder, unlike other disorders that are affected by genetics.
Individuals who struggle with GAD often have to suffer from constant anxiety with minimal anxiety attacks that can rapidly escalate into panic attacks, as they also tend to be more emotional, get easily irritated and negatively affected by day-to-day situations.
As for physical symptoms, most of the body’s organs are affected. The physical pain is absolutely real and feels raw to the one experiencing it, which disproves that pain is an imaginary feeling like some people might think, as such symptoms are linked to the activation of the Sympathetic nervous system in the body.
Symptoms include:
Neglecting these symptoms will have an impact on the quality of life. Tension and irrational attitude will negatively impact social and practical relationships, leading to isolation and financial problems amongst adults. On the other hand, this disorder might lead vulnerable children who have endured the calamities of war to develop severe anxiety that could potentially prevent them from blending in with their surroundings or limit their desire to explore and learn, fearing rejection or physical harm, hence being an obstacle for them to evolve and enhance their skills.
Aleppo has long been known for its commercial and military significance, strategically positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia. However, this strategic importance came with many instances of Aleppo’s
Over the past decade, a lot of attention has been directed towards Syria, the beating heart of the Middle East, which embodies a complex human story as it fights to
Categories Culture and Heritage Social Issues Society I Dream I Dream of the Day I Cross the Levant on a Borderless Trip Like my Grandparents did I have always wanted