War Lives Inside the Head of a 15-Year-Old in Iran

The war is inside his head now. A slamming door makes him jump. Dropped cutlery causes the same reaction. The ceasefire does not change that.

Fear That Won’t Go Away

“Before the war, I had no stress at all,” says Ali. That is not his real name. He is only 15 years old. “But now even the smallest sound causes my brain to react very badly.”

How Explosions Affect the Mind

Ali understands his own fear very well. The sounds of US and Israeli airstrikes settle into his mind. They will not let go. Any loud noise now triggers an automatic “startle response”.“The sound of explosions, the shock waves, and the sound of fighter jets flying over the city can have a very serious effect,” he explains.More than 20% of Iran’s population is under 14. That is about 20.4 million children. Psychologists call what Ali feels “hyper arousal”. It can be an early warning of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Home No Longer Feels Safe

Ali watches his parents closely. His father is out of work because of the war. His mother stays home and is constantly apprehensive. “Whenever fighter jets fly overhead, she becomes frightened and stressed,” he says.“As for myself, I am very afraid.” He has no contact with his friends. “I should be able to study, to work and become an independent person. Not constantly worrying about bombs falling.”