New Yorkers exposed to the terror attacks of last September experienced high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms during the first two months following the event.

As we approach the first anniversary of September 11, how are Americans faring, psychologically? It's too soon to know that - but psychologists at Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina, now report on a web-based survey of people's reactions during October and November last year.

They looked at people living in New York, comparing them with those in Washington DC, other urban areas, and the rest of the country. Around 11 per cent of the New Yorkers experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - sleep disturbance, emotional upset, lack of concentration - linked to the attack. This was compared to three to four per cent in other areas. There was also a significant link between hours of TV coverage of the attacks watched and possible PTSD.

Of course, some emotional response to these events is only natural. Whether those experiencing PTSD symptoms will go on to develop chronic psychiatric illness or whether they will recover will be determined by longer-term follow-up studies.

Source

Journal of the American Medical Association 7th August 2002