95urvivors Of Wtc Attacks Suffer Pstd Symptoms--study

95% Survivors Of Wtc Attacks Suffer Pstd Symptoms--study

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Researchers delving into the link between direct exposure to the disaster and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 3,271 civilians who were present in the WTC on that ill-fated day found that around 95 percent had at least one recent post-traumatic stress symptom while 15 percent screened positive for PSTD.

Only 145 of the survivors exhibited no symptoms of PTSD.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Laura DiGrande, Columbias Mailman School of Public Health doctoral degree recipient for this research stated, PTSD risk was greater among survivors who experienced serious life threat as defined by location in the towers, time of evacuation initiation, or dust cloud exposures.

As one would expect, individuals who were exposed to several of the most troubling and life threatening events during the disaster were at the greatest risk of PTSD.

Risk factors for PSTD
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

According to experts, factors that triggered PTSD after the collapse of the twin towers were being on a high floor and initiating evacuation late.

Another predictor of the disorder was being enveloped in a dense cloud of smoke and vaporized concrete. Witnessing a horrific sight and sustaining injuries was another risk factor.

In addition, working for an employer who died in the disaster also elevated the risk of PSTD.

Findings of the survey
The researchers found that 91 percent of the survivors in the 2 WTC had begun evacuation after the first plane hit 1 WTC, while nearly 61 percent were trapped in the dust cloud.

In addition, 94 percent saw a horrific event and 32 sustained some form of injury ranging from concussion to sprain.

The study found that the risk of PSTD was higher in women, Hispanics and African Americans.

Survivors with a lower income were more inclined to suffer from the disorder. The investigators noted that those earning less than $25,000 annually were eight times more likely to have PTSD compared to those who made more than $100,000 year.

Dr. Sandro Galea, MD, chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Columbias Mailman School of Public Health and study senior author stated, As the long-term effects of the WTC disaster emerge the results from this study suggest that some survivors of the WTC disaster will continue to report psychological symptoms years after their exposure to the events of 9/11.

"The implication of this finding is that the impact of terrorism on survivors, particularly those in low socioeconomic positions, could be substantial, as PTSD is known to be co-morbid with other disorders and harmful behaviors that affect daily functioning, wellness, and relationships.

The study was published online in the 'American Journal of Epidemiology.'

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