Psychological harm means Iraqis suffer 'double blow'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The people of Iraq are facing a "double blow" in an epidemic of psychological damage being caused by the continuing violence, it was claimed in the British Medical Journal yesterday.
The sheer numbers killed since the invasion is a pointer to the huge proportion of people who would have been exposed to severe violence, Dr Michael E Reschen wrote.
Previous studies have shown that the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder following a traumatic event ranged from 7.5 per cent to 72 per cent, with the risk highest in those exposed to sustained combat trauma.
Dr Reschen, of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, writes in the BMJ: "With over 500,000 violent deaths there will no doubt have been many more people exposed to grave violence.
"It therefore seems likely that the nation of Iraq may suffer a double blow, firstly by losing a sizeable proportion of its population - and the study shows that 15-45 year olds are most commonly affected - and secondly by the serious consequence of people with post-traumatic stress disorder. This may also be compounded by cultural barriers that prevent people from seeking psychological help."
Dr Reschen pointed out that while the coalition forces' medical facilities have been used to treat injured civilians in Iraq, nothing similar has been done for those suffering mental illness.
"We must learn the lessons of history and expedite the psychiatric help for Iraqi civilians," he added.
Dr Reschen is the latest medical figure to point out the psychological cost being incurred in Iraq. Dr Majid al-Yassiri, the chairman of the London-based Centre for Psychosocial Services in Iraq, has said: "Children in particular are showing behavioural problems and depression at a higher rate than one would expect in a population this size - three times as high. The impact of torture, war, continuous trauma and bereavement will take its toll on families."
Dr Yassiri said many Iraqis were reluctant to admit to mental health problems. "There is a stigma. Women in particular are less likely to seek help unless they become psychotic or suicidal, because of the fear of being seen as mad and not being able to marry," he said.
Iraq's largest psychological hospital, which had more than 1,500 beds, was destroyed in the war. Another hospital has a psychological unit but it has only two doctors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments