灾难带给美国人的精神损伤以及相关疾病不可预知
Blow to American Psyche
By Jenette Restivo ABCNEWS.com
Doctors say that, mentally, Americans will find the terror attacks hard to take. Some, due to fears or mental conditions, will even be at risk of death.
A national tragedy of enormous proportion. An unknown number of lives lost. The Pentagon (news - web sites) hit. The World Trade Center crumbles before our eyes. A passenger plane is hijacked and crashes to the ground.
, 百拇医药
It's hard to fathom the psychological effects Americans are likely to suffer from what much of the media has called the "Attack on America," but experts say the aftermath of the horrific acts of terrorism on our mental health are unlikely to be overestimated.
"This tragedy would rank at the top of devastating disasters," says Dr. Carol North of the Washington University School of Medicine, 'Willful human acts do more harm to mental health than acts of God."
, 百拇医药
Immediate and Widespread
North says that the frustration of not knowing the identities of the perpetrators, along with the depth of devastation make the tragedy especially traumatic to people. She says that the normal emotional response of disbelief, shock, fear, concern and numbness are likely to be immediate and widespread.
Dr. Thomas Ollendick of the Virginia Technical Institute, says that the trauma of the tragedy will be hard to escape regardless of physical distance from the wreckage in New York or Washington, D.C.
, http://www.100md.com
"People who saw it or were part of it will obviously experience some trauma." But the "trauma is experienced vicariously by those who are some distance away." And experts note that trauma will likely be experienced for many days to come due to heavy media coverage.
The people directly involved are of course likely to suffer, as well.
"The most affected will be those who were immediately involved — the victims," says David Riggs,of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "But others who have not been injured or lost loved ones themselves are just as vulnerable. Those who are confronted by the horror and devastation in the aftermath, like rescue workers, are likely to be affected as severely."
, http://www.100md.com
Most Vulnerable Victims
Though experts say natural emotional responses will eventually subside over time for most individuals, for others, the trauma will remain.
They may suffer Post-traumatic Stress Disorder — a condition in which sleeplessness, irritability, detachment and numbness among other symptoms persist beyond the normal recovery period of several weeks.
One group of individuals who are particularly susceptible psychologically to the distress of the disaster are those with a pre-existing mental condition.
, http://www.100md.com
"Though something of this magnitude is likely to have a profound impact on all individuals, those with anxiety and depressive conditions are likely to be more vulnerable to a tragedy of this magnitude," says Scott Ewing of Mclean Hospital in Massachusetts. Ewing says that depressed individuals may fall into a deeper state of depression, or those contemplating suicide may view the tragedy as the "proverbial last straw."
In such cases, says Ewing, friends and family can provide vital support.
, 百拇医药
An Enraged America
While the extent of the psychological injury is difficult to estimate, experts agree that the pattern of reaction should be predictable. "For the most part there will be massive grieving," explains Rona Fields, an author and expert on terrorism. Then, say experts, comes the anger.
"People will want to see some kind of reaction," says Riggs.
Ollendick agrees that with such an aggressive act, rage is likely to be a common reaction among many who reason that "we must have retribution no matter the cost," even if this involves loss of life for civilians in other countries.
Dr. William Anderson of Massachusetts General Hospital agrees that "righteous retribution" will be heightened by this episode. "We're a lot tougher than people think.", 百拇医药
By Jenette Restivo ABCNEWS.com
Doctors say that, mentally, Americans will find the terror attacks hard to take. Some, due to fears or mental conditions, will even be at risk of death.
A national tragedy of enormous proportion. An unknown number of lives lost. The Pentagon (news - web sites) hit. The World Trade Center crumbles before our eyes. A passenger plane is hijacked and crashes to the ground.
, 百拇医药
It's hard to fathom the psychological effects Americans are likely to suffer from what much of the media has called the "Attack on America," but experts say the aftermath of the horrific acts of terrorism on our mental health are unlikely to be overestimated.
"This tragedy would rank at the top of devastating disasters," says Dr. Carol North of the Washington University School of Medicine, 'Willful human acts do more harm to mental health than acts of God."
, 百拇医药
Immediate and Widespread
North says that the frustration of not knowing the identities of the perpetrators, along with the depth of devastation make the tragedy especially traumatic to people. She says that the normal emotional response of disbelief, shock, fear, concern and numbness are likely to be immediate and widespread.
Dr. Thomas Ollendick of the Virginia Technical Institute, says that the trauma of the tragedy will be hard to escape regardless of physical distance from the wreckage in New York or Washington, D.C.
, http://www.100md.com
"People who saw it or were part of it will obviously experience some trauma." But the "trauma is experienced vicariously by those who are some distance away." And experts note that trauma will likely be experienced for many days to come due to heavy media coverage.
The people directly involved are of course likely to suffer, as well.
"The most affected will be those who were immediately involved — the victims," says David Riggs,of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "But others who have not been injured or lost loved ones themselves are just as vulnerable. Those who are confronted by the horror and devastation in the aftermath, like rescue workers, are likely to be affected as severely."
, http://www.100md.com
Most Vulnerable Victims
Though experts say natural emotional responses will eventually subside over time for most individuals, for others, the trauma will remain.
They may suffer Post-traumatic Stress Disorder — a condition in which sleeplessness, irritability, detachment and numbness among other symptoms persist beyond the normal recovery period of several weeks.
One group of individuals who are particularly susceptible psychologically to the distress of the disaster are those with a pre-existing mental condition.
, http://www.100md.com
"Though something of this magnitude is likely to have a profound impact on all individuals, those with anxiety and depressive conditions are likely to be more vulnerable to a tragedy of this magnitude," says Scott Ewing of Mclean Hospital in Massachusetts. Ewing says that depressed individuals may fall into a deeper state of depression, or those contemplating suicide may view the tragedy as the "proverbial last straw."
In such cases, says Ewing, friends and family can provide vital support.
, 百拇医药
An Enraged America
While the extent of the psychological injury is difficult to estimate, experts agree that the pattern of reaction should be predictable. "For the most part there will be massive grieving," explains Rona Fields, an author and expert on terrorism. Then, say experts, comes the anger.
"People will want to see some kind of reaction," says Riggs.
Ollendick agrees that with such an aggressive act, rage is likely to be a common reaction among many who reason that "we must have retribution no matter the cost," even if this involves loss of life for civilians in other countries.
Dr. William Anderson of Massachusetts General Hospital agrees that "righteous retribution" will be heightened by this episode. "We're a lot tougher than people think.", 百拇医药