War leaves deep wounds not only on the battlefield, but also in the hearts of those who have nothing to do with military operations – children. Little Ukrainians growing up in this reality bear the burden of fear, loss and uncertainty. Some of them hide in basements to the sounds of sirens, others see destruction and death every day, and some live in evacuations, separated from their homes and relatives. These children have lost their normal childhood, replacing it with constant stress, which gradually destroys their physical and mental health.
The consequences of war for children’s psyche is a topic that scientists and doctors are now studying especially carefully. Chernihiv region, which survived the occupation and daily shelling, became one of the regions where doctors recorded a rapid increase in cardiovascular, neurological and mental diseases in children. Children’s bodies are vulnerable to long-term effects of stress, and this already leads to serious consequences that doctors did not even think about before.
How stress destroys a child’s heart
Cardiologists have long proven that strong emotional experiences can cause not only psychological problems, but also physical disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system. Children’s cardiologist of the Chernihiv Regional Children’s Hospital, Kateryna Saranchuk emphasizes, that the American Heart Association has already recognized psychiatric diseases as one of the main risk factors for the development of heart diseases.
Emotional stress, panic, and fear activate the body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” mechanism, which by its very nature should help a person survive in danger. But when such a condition becomes permanent, it begins to destroy the body. A frequent increase in the level of adrenaline leads to a failure of the electrical activity of the heart, causing arrhythmias and fluctuations in blood pressure. Blood vessels become less elastic due to chronic tension, blood supply is disrupted, which increases the risk of inflammatory processes.
One of the most serious consequences of such stress is Takotsubo syndrome, or “broken heart” syndrome. This is a rare but dangerous phenomenon, when the heart suddenly weakens and begins to work with disturbances similar to a heart attack. In adults, this syndrome usually develops due to a strong emotional impact, and in children it can be a consequence of being in a stressful state for a long time.
Symptoms that cannot be ignored
Parents who notice in their children rapid heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, dizziness or even loss of consciousness should immediately consult a doctor. Any problems with the heart in childhood can become a prerequisite for serious complications in the future.
However, we should not forget that the heart is only one of the organs that suffers from stress. War leads to a sharp increase in cases of depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia and panic attacks in children. Some of them even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can manifest itself through fears, withdrawal, emotional instability or aggression.
How to help children in stress
The first thing adults can do is to learn how to properly communicate with children. Don’t downplay their fears or ignore the issue of war. The child should know that he has someone to turn to, that he is not alone in his experiences.
Doctors remind that a healthy lifestyle is critically important in the fight against stress. The child should receive a balanced diet, sufficient physical activity and healthy sleep. Limiting screen time, especially when it comes to watching the news or videos from war zones, will help reduce stress levels.
Parents should remember that war not only changes the physical world around us, but is also deeply rooted in the psyche of every child, even if it seems calm on the outside. How we take care of their emotional state now will determine how the next generation of Ukrainians will grow up – strong, resilient and viable, or one that will struggle with invisible injuries for years.
A child’s body is still able to adapt and recover. The main thing is to prevent fear and anxiety from becoming a regular part of their lives. Ukraine is already paying too high a price for its future, and what we do now for our children will determine what that future will be.
