Thursday, August 4, 2011

Good News: Epidemic of PTSD Failed to Materialize After 9-11

USA Today reports that 10 years after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC, the American public has proved more resilient than psychologists expected. Their assessment is tempered by the realization that not all the long-term effects of this man-made disaster are in. The article goes on to say that many variables affect the general population, including life events that predispose a person to post-traumatic stress, closeness to the scene of the terrorist attacks, emotional reaction to events, and how much of a feeling of closure one had to the news that Osama bin Laden had been cornered and killed.

1 comment:

  1. I wonder if this is because shock, pain and grief where shared so openly in the aftermath period?

    In the UK there are statistics suggesting a reduction in mental anguish issues after the mass outpouring of grief over Princess Diana's death, a lower suicide rate was one example in the 12 month period after this mass emotional experience?

    In the sophisticated 1st world we tend to pride ourselves on objective clarity and keeping our emotions in check. Perhaps we pay a high price for an objectivity that may be based as much on suppression as clarity?

    Hope your happy & well Charles:))

    BipolarBatesy.

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