KUWAIT: <\/b>As the region enters the eighth day of heightened security alerts following repeated Iranian attacks, Kuwaiti authorities are emphasizing the psychological wellbeing of citizens and residents alongside physical safety measures. In a live broadcast, KTV interviewed Dr Dalal Al-Humaidhi, a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Kuwait University, about how people can cope with fear and stress during these uncertain times.<\/p>\n
\u201cFear is a natural response,\u201d Dr Al-Humaidhi said. \u201cIt helps us focus on what\u2019s important, prepares us for potential threats, and motivates protective actions for ourselves and our families.\u201d She said fear becomes concerning when it reaches abnormal levels, such as reacting with extreme panic to everyday sounds or remaining in a state of hypervigilance even after alarms stop.<\/p>\n
Dr Al-Humaidhi described how fear triggers the fight-or-flight response. \u201cPhysiologically, fear triggers a fight-or-flight response. Blood flows to essential organs, extremities feel cold, vision and hearing sharpen, all to protect us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven we\u2019re on the eighth day of these events, with ongoing sirens, people are in a constant state of alert. This can lead to hypervigilance\u2014being startled by the slightest sound. We\u2019ve also seen people unable to sleep even after the sirens stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
She explained why people may feel tense long after the immediate threat is gone. \u201cIt\u2019s related to cortisol, a hormone our body releases during danger. It peaks after 40\u201360 minutes and may take another hour to calm down. If someone arrives late to a safe place, the body is still in a heightened state,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She recommended creating a calming pre-sleep routine\u2014turning off phones and news, practicing light exercises or prayer, or washing your face with cold water.<\/p>\n
Small routines <\/b><\/p>\n
For some, the stress taps into memories of past conflicts, triggering symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, Dr Al-Humaidhi said. Those who lived through the 1990 Iraqi invasion, or even heard about it, may relive trauma during alarms or air-raid sirens. \u201cThey can experience intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and heightened vigilance,\u201d she said. Avoidance behaviors are common\u2014some may refuse to leave shelters or basements, even when the immediate danger has passed. \u201cIt\u2019s a physiological response,\u201d she added, \u201cthe body remembers danger, and the mind stays on alert long after the threat is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Al-Humaidhi said older adults may be especially difficult to reassure during periods of repeated alarms, as fear can sometimes appear as stubbornness or resistance. She advised families to acknowledge their feelings rather than dismiss them. \u201cIf someone says they are afraid and the response is \u2018there\u2019s nothing to fear\u2019 or \u2018why are you worried,\u2019 it can make them more defensive,\u201d she said. Instead, she encouraged relatives to validate emotions and offer reassurance. \u201cYou can say, \u2018I understand why you\u2019re scared. I hear you. What can I do to help?\u2019\u201d she added. Reminding family members that sirens are meant as an early warning system can also help shift their perspective. \u201cThe alarm doesn\u2019t mean the danger is happening at that exact moment,\u201d she said. \u201cIt means authorities detected a risk and are alerting people so they can take precautions.\u201d<\/p>\n
OCD sufferers may engage in repeated checking behaviors or rigid routines to feel safe. Dr Al-Humaidhi emphasized that maintaining treatment plans and communication with mental health providers is critical to prevent escalation.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t hide facts<\/b><\/p>\n
Separately, KTV reporters visited child protection and emergency services to discuss precautions for younger populations. At the Child Protection Office of the Ministry of Health, Dr Noura Al-Omair advised parents on age-appropriate communication. \u201cFor young children, simple explanations and reassurance are enough,\u201d she said. For older children, ages 8 to 12, she recommended providing more detailed information while maintaining daily routines and involving them in minor safety steps to foster responsibility. Teenagers should be engaged in open discussions to address fear, anger, or anxiety about ongoing events.<\/p>\n
Parents were advised not to hide facts from children but to adapt explanations to their age and comprehension. Dr Al-Omair added that transparent, supportive communication helps children feel safe and reduces anxiety. She encouraged parents to distinguish between realistic dangers and hypothetical scenarios, allowing children to develop appropriate coping skills.<\/p>\n
15 emergency calls<\/b><\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Kuwait Fire Force reported receiving over 15 emergency calls, mostly for routine issues such as elevator malfunctions or minor home fires. Officials reminded citizens to check elevators before use and maintain safety equipment like fire extinguishers at home. Parents were advised to supervise children, especially around kitchens and gas appliances. \u201cA child locked in a kitchen with the gas on is extremely dangerous,\u201d said Major Ahmad Al-Mashmoum of the Kuwait Fire Force. \u201cKeep children away from potential hazards and ensure emergency numbers are accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Al-Humaidhi stressed that parents\u2019 own emotional regulation is key. \u201cChildren observe and reflect the adults around them. If parents remain calm and deliberate in their responses, children are more likely to feel secure,\u201d she said. For parents or caregivers needing guidance, the Child Protection Center in the Sabah Health Area provides support for children under 18. The hotline is 147, and WhatsApp support is available at 90012315. \u2014 Agencies<\/p>\n
How to cope with stress<\/b><\/p>\n
For adults:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Take breaks from constant news coverage.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stay connected with family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use grounding exercises, such as deep breathing.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Maintain daily routines to help signal safety to your body.<\/p>\n
For children:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Communicate honestly and age-appropriately.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keep routines consistent and involve children in simple safety measures.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Reassure them of your presence and safety measures in place.<\/p>\n
For vulnerable populations:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Monitor and support those with OCD, PTSD, or other pre-existing mental health conditions.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use grounding techniques and calm reassurance to help reduce anxiety or panic episodes.<\/p>\n
Emergency contact:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Child Protection Center Hotline: 147<\/p>\n
\u2022 WhatsApp Support for the center: 90012315<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KUWAIT: As the region enters the eighth day of heightened security alerts following repeated Iranian attacks, Kuwaiti authorities…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":377253,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[276],"tags":[12281,18,36962,48016,135,19,17,36738,36737,167,502,38401,173678,173],"class_list":["post-377252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mental-health","tag-coping","tag-eire","tag-experts","tag-guidance","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-kuwait-news","tag-kuwait-times","tag-mental-health","tag-mentalhealth","tag-offer","tag-security-alerts","tag-stress"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377252"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377252\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/377253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}