Psychology of Terror Attacks

Most large scale traumatic events are followed by a sharp rise in the occurrence of cases of post traumatic stress disorder. The London Terror Attacks have shocked the world, and the repercussions here in the U.S. on a psychological level can and will be dramatic. The wounds of September 11th are still very much fresh and the Oklahoma City bombing is far from a distant memory. With the new reality that we live in, of a society where terror can strike anywhere at any time, a rise in the occurrence of PTSD is natural.

Today at one of America's centers of summer tourism, the Empire State Building, folks from all over the country and the world who came to visit were feeling a variety of emotions.

Xavier visiting from Paris explained, "I think we are all sad of it." While a woman from Utah was angry and proclaimed "It's ridiculous. And I think somebody's trying to send us a message one more time."

Some are more than just a little uneasy. Stephen from Southern New Jersey remembers 9/11 and asks his family how fast they could run, as they sit outside the enormous skyscraper. Sorne from Denmark is in shock and says "We're on the far side of the world, now and it's actually back home, close to it anyway." Michael Kidzin from Scarsdale, NY states, "It's frightening, and we thought it would happen again."

It will change the way some people live their lives, at least a bit. Zidzin has a lunch appointment today and thinks that taking a cab might a better idea than the subway. These are normal cases of the jitters, understandable given the day's events.

But for many who lived through the 9/11 attacks here in New York, this is a true reopening of the wounds, even though the latest bombings happened across the ocean. Many here have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, which is a form of anxiety after a traumatic event. Dr. Phillip Bialer, Psychiatrist from Beth Israel Medical Center in New York says "People have a variety of symptoms, a re-experiencing of the traumatic event having intrusive thoughts of the traumatic event, dreams, flashbacks."

That's why today's bombings are all that more difficult to handle for those suffering from PTSD. Bialer says "There may be a point where they try to avoid things associated with the event."

For most of us though, the best way to deal with the anxiety anyone might be feeling today is to simply talk about it. "For more people the symptoms of PTSD will last for a couple of days at the most. I think it's OK to acknowledge the symptoms and look for support among friends and family." And consciously try not to let the news overtake one's life. Sorne from Demark remarks

"You get it under control I think. Life goes on." He plans on walking around the rest of New York City today. If you or anyone you know suffers from PTSD, treatment is available. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy, in which the patient gradually and repeatedly relives the frightening experience under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma. Medications also help ease associated symptoms of depression and anxiety and help promote sleep. Again, some studies show that giving people an opportunity to talk about their experiences very soon after a catastrophic event may reduce some of the symptoms of PTSD.

For more information about PTSD, Click here.