How War Rewires the Body’s Response
On February 19, 2024, Reem Salim departed Gaza after enduring months of conflict, yet she describes feeling psychologically and physically trapped by the war’s lingering effects despite her relocation to Egypt. The trauma manifests through involuntary bodily reactions triggered by everyday stimuli, turning moments meant for peace into sources of distress.
Breaking news
Ronna McDaniel Weighs In on GOP's Path Forward
Market Sentiment Shifts as S&P 500 Snaps Three-Day Losing Streak
Voters Demand Stronger Congressional Oversight of Presidential Power
Pelosi Looks Back, Sees Democratic Triumph AheadIn Egypt, the call to prayer—a sound traditionally associated with tranquility—now provokes tension and anxiety in Salim, illustrating how sensory cues from her past continue to disrupt her present. She explains that while she survived the physical dangers of war, its psychological imprint persists through flashbacks and automatic stress responses tied to specific sights and sounds. These reactions are not merely memories but embodied experiences that hijack her sense of safety, even in environments far removed from active combat.
Can True Safety Ever Be Felt Again?
Salim describes her nervous system as stuck in a state of hypervigilance, where benign stimuli like the adhan (call to prayer) activate survival mechanisms developed during bombardment. „My body reacts before my mind can process,” she says, noting increased heart rate, muscle tension, and sudden fear when hearing sounds reminiscent of drones or explosions. This condition aligns with clinical understandings of trauma, where prolonged exposure to threat alters neural pathways, causing the body to misinterpret safety as danger. She emphasizes that healing requires more than physical relocation—it demands retraining the body’s automatic responses through therapy and time.
Salim questions whether she will ever regain a sense of inner peace, wondering if the war has permanently altered her capacity to relax. She acknowledges small progress—moments when she catches herself breathing deeply during the adhan—but admits these are fleeting and often followed by guilt for feeling relief while others remain in Gaza. Her struggle reflects a broader reality among displaced survivors: geographic escape does not equate to emotional liberation. The war, she says, did not end when she crossed the border; it simply changed location, taking residence within her.
What triggers Reem Salim’s traumatic reactions in Egypt? Everyday sounds like the call to prayer, which should bring calm, instead provoke anxiety and physical tension due to their association with wartime experiences in Gaza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is her condition recognized as a medical issue? Yes, her symptoms align with trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, where the body’s stress response becomes dysregulated after prolonged exposure to threat, requiring professional support for recovery.
Does she believe healing is possible? Salim expresses cautious hope, noting brief moments of peace during religious calls, though she stresses that recovery is nonlinear and deeply tied to both personal effort and ongoing circumstances.