The Dilemma of Psychological Disorders and the Refugee Experience

Abstract

“In the middle of the journey of our life, I found myself in the dark woods, for I have lost the right path.” This quote is taken from the book Darkness Visible by William Styron (1990). In recent years we have seen an unprecedented global crisis unfold before us. There has been a massive number of people tragically uprooted from their country of origin or displaced within the borders of their own country due to war, political unrest, mass violence, and terrorism. With these experiences, we have also seen an unsettling number of men, women, and children experiencing traumatic life events that become psychological and physical baggage that they carry with them through three phases of migration (pre-migration, migration, and post-migration). These traumatic life events often result in symptoms of psychological disorders. In this literature review, I will examine the psychological disorders that are associated with the refugee experience and the how ethical and, cultural issues create barriers during the resettlement into a host culture. I will also examine the effects of refugee camps on refugee children, and how psychological disorders affect the parenting relationship and other factors of family life. I will also assess the commonness of psychological disorders among refugees and various options for interventions on a psychosocial level. I will also examine treatment options that are being utilized and discuss the importance of evidence-based practices and random controlled trials. I will also examine psychometric tools that are used to evaluate data collected from refugees better serve them as they battle with psychological disorders and adapting to a host culture.