Expert Urges Support for Women Bearing Strain of Ongoing Conflict
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Dr. Hannah Katan highlighted the severe mental and physical impact of three years of ongoing conflict on Israelis, especially women managing families. She stressed that even strong individuals need support and should not ignore signs of distress, such as sleep disruption and fatigue. Katan urged seeking professional help for persistent difficulties and redefined resilience as the ability to acknowledge and address one's own needs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dr. Hannah Katan highlighted the mental and physical toll of three years of conflict on Israelis.
- Women are particularly affected, balancing family responsibilities with personal stress.
- Prolonged stress can cause sleep issues, fatigue, irritability, and concentration problems.
- Katan urged individuals to seek professional help for persistent signs of distress.
- She redefined resilience as the ability to recognize and address one's own needs.
Dr. Hannah Katan, speaking on Channel 7, highlighted the significant mental and physical toll that three years of ongoing war, worry, and loss have taken on Israelis, particularly women. She emphasized that even those accustomed to being strong require support.
Katan noted that since October 7, 2023, life has fundamentally changed, with constant concern for soldiers and hostages, loss, and uncertainty impacting the nation's psyche and physical well-being. Despite these challenges, women continue to manage households and families, often with interrupted sleep and persistent worries.
She explained that prolonged stress can manifest in various ways, including sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, persistent fatigue, irritability, and a constant state of alertness. These effects can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming.
Katan specifically addressed the burden on women, who often juggle personal anxieties about the security situation with the responsibility of caring for children and maintaining family stability. She stressed that it is crucial for these women to recognize their own needs for support, stating, "Even she who holds everyone up sometimes needs someone to hold her up." She cautioned against normalizing distress simply because it has persisted.
The doctor advised against ignoring signs that ongoing stress is negatively affecting health or daily functioning. When difficulties impact sleep and routine, seeking professional help is recommended. For persistent physical symptoms, a medical evaluation is advised.
Katan also redefined resilience, distinguishing between the ability to cope and the expectation of never breaking. "True resilience is also the ability to recognize difficulty and provide ourselves with a response. Taking care of ourselves is a responsibility," she concluded.