NCJ Number
191008
Date Published
2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This document discusses the traumatic stress effects of terrorism.
Abstract
The impact of the September 11th terrorist attack will affect people at all levels of involvement: victims, bereaved family members, friends, rescue workers, emergency medical and mental health care providers, witnesses to the event, volunteers, members of the media, members of the community, the State, the Nation, and the World. Terrorism erodes a sense of security and safety at both the individual and community level. Studies have shown that deliberate violence creates longer lasting mental health effects than natural disasters or accidents. The consequences for individuals and community are prolonged, and survivors often feel that injustice has been done to them, leading to anger, frustration, helplessness, fear, and a desire for revenge. Studies have shown that acting on this anger and need for revenge can increase feelings of anger, guilt, and distress, rather than decreasing them. Many trauma experts agree that the psychological outcome of the community as a whole will be resilience rather than psychopathology. For most, symptoms like fear, anxiety, re-experiencing, urges to avoid, and hyperarousal will gradually decrease over time. Research has shown that those who are at most risk for more severe traumatic stress reactions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are those who have experienced the greatest magnitude of exposure to the traumatic event, such as victims and their families. This can result in problems with anxiety, depression, and substance use. Many surviving rescue workers will have direct relationships, or indirect exposure to those who are missing or killed, and will therefore be coping with their own losses as well as with the demands of the rescue mission. Reducing the risk of traumatic stress reactions is best accomplished by fostering resilience and bolstering support so that individuals have better coping capacity prior to and during traumatic stress. Another option is early detection and treatment of traumatized individuals to prevent a prolonged stress response. 8 references