The attacks of 9/11 have fundamentally altered the American psyche. Research has indicated that terrorist attacks have a major affect on the population's psychological outlook. Incidents of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder increase and people generally lose their sense of security and normalcy. And while these effects are temporary in most, the constant flood of threats and attacks in the past ten years have created a state of permanent PTSD for many in America.
Terrorism and the American Psyche
The attacks of September 11, 2001 not only affected those who were killed and injured, but also millions of ordinary Americans. The impact of this act of terrorism, along with a constant stream of attacks and threats of attacks have substantially altered the American psyche. Immediately after the attacks, Americans across the nation began to suffer from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to this, Americans have suffered through a number of psychological effects of terrorism including fear, anger, and vulnerability. All in all, the effect of terrorism on American society has been one of altering the way Americans feel about their safety and their place in the world. In a sense, Americans no longer viewed their world as predictable, orderly, and controllable.
Well known psychologist, William E. Schlenger, stated that the attacks of 9/11 "represent an unprecedented exposure to trauma" within the United States. ("The American Psyche: Post 9/11") Terrorist attacks are unpredictable and most often extremely violent; causing an erosion of a sense of security that most people have. This is much different from a natural disaster which also strikes without warning and usually causes a great amount of damage. When violence is deliberately inflicted upon people, the psychological effects are of a greater degree and longer lasting than natural events. (Hamblen and Slone) And this not only includes those who are directly affected by the acts of terrorism, such as victims and their families, it also includes rescue workers as well as anyone who has been exposed to the trauma. In the case of 9/11, for instance, the entire nation witnessed the tragic events of that day, live on television, and therefore the entire nation was traumatized. And the continued threats and attacks which have periodically gripped the nation have had the effect of a continual exposure to the trauma associated with terrorism.
The main affect of a terrorist attack, particularly in the period of time immediately following an attack, is a dramatic rise in the rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research has indicated that "Rates of PTSD in the general population attributed to single attacks may be as high as 11-13% in the first 6 weeks… ." (Whalley and Brewin) In fact, in the period following the attacks of 9/11, nearly 11% of the population of the New York area was estimated to be suffering from the affects of PTSD. This included such symptoms such as fear, anxiety, helplessness, anger, nightmares, flashbacks, and guilt. And for some these affects can be long lasting. According to research, at least 20% of those suffering from PTSD will continue to demonstrate symptoms two years after the traumatic event. But it is not only those who live in the area attacked that feel these affects, research has indicated that millions of Americans across the nation have been affected as well.
While the incidents of PTSD increase after a terrorist attack like 9/11, the American people have demonstrated a great resiliency. It is true that many have been traumatized by 9/11, but the human mechanism for naturally recovering from such events is robust and as one psychiatrist stated, "feelings of upset tend to lessen over time." (The American Psyche: Post 9/11") As the years have past, many Americans have tried to return to a state of "normalcy" and live their lives the way they did before 9/11. But the constant stream of threats and attacks have forced many to accept that there is a new "normal," and that this includes the acceptance that they are not truly safe. From the Anthrax tainted letters to the bombing of the Boston Marathon, the American public has been forced to remain in a state of constant readiness for more than a decade, waiting for the next attack to come.
The constant state of preparedness and warnings of potential attacks have also taken their toll on the American psyche. The color coded alert system, which was incorporated after the attacks of 9/11, is a daily reminder that the American people live in a state of constant fear and contributes to the increase in psychological pressure. When, for instance, alert levels are raised people show an increase in levels of depression, anxiety, fear and other signs of PTSD. Strangely though, when the alert levels are lowered people demonstrate the same increase in symptoms "indicating that public reminders of the danger acted as a stressor regardless of the direction of the change." (Silke)
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