Israel−Palestine Conflict: Risk of Sleep Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

The Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps Mental Health Department on PTSD has claimed that the rate of PTSD among Israeli soldiers is among the lowest in military forces worldwide. A study of sleep quality and behaviors of Palestinian adults in the Gaza Strip shows that they, on the other hand, report poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, severe depression, and a low health-related quality of life. The authors (from Tunisia) claim that the conflictual situation in the Gaza Strip, combined with high population density and poor socio-economic conditions, may play an important role in sleep disturbances and life quality [21]. Visual imagery lingers in the memory and is more damaging and long-lasting than spoken words [26]. [...]sleep and mental health are likely to be impacted also in other countries around the world.