The Scars That War Leaves in Us

What happens to a country when one crisis follows another without end?

For years, Lebanon has been trapped in a cycle of crises each one leaving deeper marks on its people. What began as economic collapse soon turned into a series of overlapping disasters, reshaping not only daily life but also the psychological and emotional state of an entire population.

The severe economic collapse in 2019.
The devastating Beirut port explosion in 2020.
Conflict in 2024.
And today, in 2026, renewed violence.

How long can people continue living under fear and uncertainty?

When will all these crises stop? When will this cycle of violence end? How long will we continue to live with uncertainty, with fear of tomorrow, and without knowing what the future holds?

Lebanon’s economic collapse has been described by the World Bank as one of the most severe crises globally since the mid-19th century. More than half of the population has fallen into poverty, and many people have lost access to basic needs such as healthcare, electricity, and financial stability. These realities are not only economic, but they are also deeply psychological.

Does war truly end when the fighting stops?

However, war does not end when the guns fall silent. It leaves scars within us, scars that are invisible, wounds that never truly fade. These are injuries we carry for a long time. We become used to staying alert, expecting danger from everywhere. Even a simple noise can make our hearts race. Sleep itself becomes a struggle, especially after months of being awakened by the sounds of bombs and explosions.

What psychological effects does constant exposure to violence create?

Many Lebanese testimonies illustrate the psychological trauma caused by daily exposure to overwhelming violence, violence that exceeds the mind’s natural ability to cope, leaving it in a state of shock. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 5 people living in conflict-affected areas suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In Lebanon specifically, recent studies suggest that nearly half of the population shows symptoms of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Similarly, a large study published in The Lancet found significantly increased rates of these disorders among populations exposed to war. In such conditions, the mind learns only how to survive.

This connects to a deeper issue: the intergenerational transmission of unresolved trauma.

Can trauma affect the human body and genes?

Anxiety, hypervigilance, and flashbacks; these are symptoms that many Lebanese people are living with today. These are characteristics of psychological trauma that has not fully healed and may be passed down to future generations. Our parents and ancestors lived through war, and today it is our turn. War does not only affect our mental health and social lives, but it may also affect us biologically.

Modern research in Epigenetics has shown that traumatic experiences can influence how our genes function. This does not change the DNA itself, but rather how certain genes are expressed. Research led by Rachel Yehuda suggests that severe trauma can be associated with changes in stress-related biological systems.

For example, trauma has been linked to changes in DNA methylation, a process that determines which genes are activated or suppressed. Studies suggest that individuals exposed to prolonged stress, such as war, may show changes in genes related to stress response, immune function, and emotional regulation.

Could these effects continue across generations?

Some research also indicates that these biological changes may, in certain cases, be passed from one generation to another, potentially increasing vulnerability to stress disorders, anxiety, and depression. In Lebanon, this concern is particularly important, as studies on children and adolescents exposed to conflict have already shown notable levels of post-traumatic stress, highlighting how early these effects can begin.

In this way, Lebanese people may carry not only psychological scars, but also biological imprints of trauma.

So, all these unhealed wounds risk being passed from one generation to another.

How can a society begin to heal from trauma?

If we want to heal from this trauma, we must begin with acknowledgment. We need to recognize that everything we are experiencing has a real impact on all of us.

At the same time, research shows that individuals with strong coping mechanisms, supportive social networks, and stress-reduction practices such as physical activity, meditation, and therapy can improve both mental health and biological responses to stress. These factors may even help regulate gene expression in positive ways.

There is always light, even in the darkest places. No matter how uncertain or overwhelming the situation becomes, hope always finds a way to shine. All we must do is hold on to it and believe in the possibility of a brighter future.