The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute Israel national longitudinal survey (2024) found that roughly 19% of the public has experienced significant functional impairment directly due to the prolonged war. This finding shows the scale of cognitive and psychological strain affecting the Israeli public as the conflict continues without resolution.

Continuous Traumatic Stress (CTS) occurs when a threat remains ongoing with no clear post-trauma period, causing the brain to stay in a high-arousal state. This condition actively compromises the prefrontal cortex, leading to forgetfulness, distractibility, emotional volatility, and a general feeling of being mentally disconnected.

Dana described her daily experience with these symptoms. She said she is functioning but not herself, cannot make simple decisions, forgets things, and feels mentally stuck. Her testimony reflects the internal cognitive struggle reported by many in the survey.

Studies in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Sindi et al. 2017) show that stress-related cognitive changes can closely resemble early dementia, especially in older adults. This similarity raises concerns about long-term cognitive health for populations under sustained threat, as the brain’s executive functions remain impaired by chronic stress responses.

A 2023 survey by the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute revealed that 1 in 3 Israelis (33%) reported significant mental health concerns post-October 7, including chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation. The earlier data also noted that 17% of adults over 65 experienced heightened anxiety compared to 15.1% during the pandemic.

Somatic regulation is a clinical approach positing that physical activity rather than conscious thinking calms the nervous system. When the body calms, cortisol levels drop, allowing the prefrontal cortex to restore cognitive clarity. This physiological mechanism offers a potential pathway for mitigating the impairments associated with Continuous Traumatic Stress.

Research published in Psychiatry Research (2019) has shown that individuals who maintain social connections show significantly less cognitive decline than those navigating stress in isolation. Social engagement appears to serve as a protective factor against the cognitive erosion caused by prolonged exposure to threat and uncertainty.

Mike Gropper is a psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience. His professional background situates him within a field that increasingly addresses the complex interplay between ongoing trauma and cognitive function in civilian populations.

The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, established in 1998, is part of the JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) and focuses on elder care, mental health, and community resilience programs in Israel. Its research on trauma-induced cognitive decline aligns with its long-term mandate to address psychosocial challenges in vulnerable populations.

The 2024 survey results indicate that nearly one in five Israeli adults faces significant functional impairment due to the war, marking a sustained public health challenge. The progression from the 2023 findings, where 33% reported mental health concerns, to the current data on functional impairment suggests a deepening impact on daily life and cognitive capacity.

Understanding Continuous Traumatic Stress as a distinct condition with measurable cognitive effects allows for targeted clinical and social interventions. The evidence supporting somatic regulation and social connection as mitigating factors provides actionable directions for mental health support systems operating in prolonged conflict zones.