Iraqi Refugees are at a High Risk of Brain Disorders
A New Research suggests that a high number of Iraqi refugees experience brain and nervous system disorders. As conflicts continue to rise in the Middle East there is an estimated of over “40 million displaced refugees in the United States,” Farrah Mateen, MD states.
The study points out how exposure to war, conflict, and displacement contributes to chronic stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraqi refugees. Psychological factors heavily and adversely impact the brain and nervous system, in addition the loss of social networks, trauma and lack of access to basic necessities further increase the mental vulnerability of Iraqi refugees.
Children and adolescents among the large refugee population are at a higher risk for long term adverse psychological effects such as cognitive impairments and learning disabilities, social and emotional regulation.
Researchers in this study used a Un Database in Jordan and it demonstrated a total of 1,295 refugees were reported to have a brain or nervous system disorder, or four percent of all registered Iraqi refugees. Of those, 10 percent were disabled[1]” The most common diagnoses were epilepsy (30 percent), back pain 27 percent and headache around 12 percent.
In addition, lack of adequate health care services emphasizes mental health support, in both their host countries and refugee camps contributes to an elevated risk in developing Brain disorders.
Poor nutrition and exposure to environmental hazards in refugee camps also contribute to the development of neurological disorders.
Language barriers, cultural stigmatization, and limited awareness about mental health issues may prevent Iraqi refugees from seeking help and treatment for these conditions as well as prompting intergenerational trauma and a systematic view of neurological disorders from generations to come.
The study aims to look at the causes and data for these affected refugees however it’s not stated on how these factors scientifically affect the brain’s neurological function. Well it is known in research that psychological factors can have adverse effects on the brain and nervous system. When an individual is exposed to chronic stress, anxiety or trauma, their body’s stress response system (release of stress hormones such as cortisol) becomes dysregulated meaning not functioning as it’s supposed to. This dysregulation can lead to harmful physiological changes in the brain's nervous system.
1. Structural Changes in the Brain: The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are regions that involve memory, learning emotional regulation. When an individual experiences trauma, stress, anxiety etc. The Prefrontal cortex is reduced in volume and density which has been observed in individuals with chronic stress or PTSD.
2. Altered Neural Connectivity: Chronic stress or trauma affect how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. A healthy brain activity has specific pathways for information to flow smoothly which coordinates different functions. However, when an individual experiences long term stress or trauma these pathways become disrupted and this disruption can interfere with how an individual processes information and how they carry out tasks.
3. Inflammation: When an individual feels stressed or anxious for a long time, it causes inflammation and oxidative stress in their body. An easier way to word this is when certain molecules that cause this information are released in addition one’s body produces harmful substances called (reactive oxygen species) harm the cells in the nervous systems, including brain cells (neurons). In harming these cells it’s essentially harming communicating pathways in the brain.
It is important to understand the inadequate living conditions of not only these Iraqi Refugees but all refugees. These conditions create a systemic trauma response that can persist across generations; intergenerational trauma. This study aims to further understand the significance of addressing mental health concerns for refugees and the need for healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and adequate support.
