Traumas and psychogenic disorders

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 446.

Many victims, rescuers, relatives and eyewitnesses (even on television) of the September 11 attacks could not escape the horrific images of the terrorist attack. The resulting traumas were expressed as irritability, insomnia, lack of concentration, depression, changes in eating habits such as loss of appetite or overeating, separation anxiety, recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event, difficulty focusing on work or daily activities, spontaneous crying, feelings of despair or hopelessnes. Today, psychiatrists have good success rates in treating effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But not everyone who experiences trauma requires treatment afterwards. Many recovered with the help of family, friends or clergymen.

The U.S. government reacted quickly. For example more than $4 million have been designated for children in New York City shocked by the events. Their parents later related that "returning to class and seeing classmates again has been a positive step in the healing process.

An opinion poll by the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that many inhabitants of New York City started or intensified taking drugs to come to grips with their trauma. Twenty five percent of those questioned admitted drinking more alcohol, 25 percent indicated they smoked more cigarettes and three percent said they were taking more drugs like cannabis.