Having lice poses bigger problems for Filipino kids than just an itchy scalp—in fact, it can result in psychological trauma that may have long-term effects on a child’s mental health. The psychological trauma may result from the shame and low self-esteem triggered by cruel teasing, if not outright bullying, inflicted on a child with lice.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Genuina Ranoy, who is also a specialist in child psychiatry, she has adult patients who are still suffering from the psychological trauma due to bullying and teasing they experienced as children.
“Bullying and teasing can have far-reaching effects on a person’s mental health. It doesn’t matter what the reason for the teasing is, as long as the teasing reaches a degree that damages a person’s sense of self-worth. For example, I had a patient who suffered from mental anguish that was rooted in the teasing and bullying she experienced as child. The reason? She was teased and bullied because she had old, worn-out socks. Her family was poor and so her parents couldn’t afford to buy her new socks. She suffered psychological problems as a result of this trauma,” Dr. Ranoy said.