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Student Counseling Services

The Psychological Impact of Terrorism

The devastating terrorist incidents in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 increased our awareness of terrorism. It is no longer something that happens in far away places to people who seem foreign and unfamiliar. Terrorism has a presence in our lives that is unprecedented. Americans are no longer insulated from such destructive and devastating events. Our sense of security and our view of the world are undeniably altered by acts of terrorism. Our fearfulness and vigilance have increased with our awareness of our nation's vulnerability.

In order to be effective, psychological interventions in situations involving terrorism require a fundamental understanding of the traumatic elements of terror. The severity of trauma is measured by factors such as the duration of the event, the number of people killed, the age of the victims, and the defensiveness of the victims. The traumatic impact of terrorism is also greatly magnified by the fact that acts of terrorism occur by human design. Terrorist acts are deliberate and planned, they are sudden and completely unpredictable, and they are aimed at people who are defenseless. The great threat of terrorism is that anyone, at anytime, anywhere can be a target. No one is immune; no one is protected.

The intent of terrorists is to demoralize their targets and to undermine their sense of confidence and security. It is the ultimate hostage situation when groups of people begin to think of themselves as potential victims. The willingness to sacrifice innocent lives is the hallmark of a terrorists' ruthless commitment to their cause. They will use their power to vanquish their enemies by fear and intimidation. Victims are chosen precisely because they are helpless and defenseless. In this way terrorists demonstrate the force and destructiveness they will employ to reach their goal.

When people feel that anyone can potentially be a victim of terrorism, a traumatic atmosphere is created. People are killed in the course of their day-to-day lives as they carry out the most ordinary of tasks. This creates a sense of vulnerability and fearfulness that may persist for a lifetime and put an individual at risk for long-term psychological difficulties. This atmosphere of trauma needs to be addressed in psychological interventions with victims and rescue workers who have experienced acts of terrorism.

The basic law of terrorism is that even the smallest threat can ripple out to touch those a thousand miles away. The goal of psychological intervention is to understand the traumatic impact of terrorism and to minimize and contain the ripple effect with the individual, the community, and the nation.

Even though the event may be over, someone may now be experiencing or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common and quite normal for people to experience emotional aftershocks when they have passed through a horrible event.

Sometimes the emotional aftershocks, or stress reactions, appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes they may appear a few hours or few days later. In some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions emerge depending upon the severity of the event. With understanding and the support of loved ones, the stress reactions usually pass quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance from a counselor may be necessary. Seeking help does not imply weakness or craziness. It simply indicates that the particular event was just too powerful for the person to manage alone.

What Are Some of the Psychological Aftershocks?

  • Shock and denial are typical responses to terrorism, especially immediately after the event. Shock and denial are defense mechanisms that are designed to protect us. Shock is a sudden and intense reaction that may leave you feeling numb or dazed. Denial is the refusal to accept what has happened. For example, a person might have watched the replay of the plane approaching the second tower and kept hoping things would turn out differently.
  • After the shock and denial subside the following may be experienced as a normal reaction to terrorism:
    • One’s feelings may become subject to a rollercoaster of emotion, becoming irritable one minute and anxious, nervous, or depressed the next.
    • One might experience flashbacks or dreams regarding the event. It may be more difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
    • One may experience difficulties on anniversaries of the event such as at one month or one year. One might also experience "triggers" that remind them of the event such as seeing the New York skyline on a pizza box.
    • One might experience increased difficulty in their interpersonal relationships such as increased arguing or becoming withdrawn such that they are no longer interested in engaging in their usual activities.
    • Finally, you might experience such physical symptoms as headaches, nausea, or chest pain which may require medical attention.

What Can I Do To Get Back To Normal?

  • Give yourself time to get back to normal.
  • Talk to other people about it, especially family and close friends. A professional group, where you realize that other people are having similar experiences, may be helpful.
  • Try to get plenty of rest, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. If you're having difficulty sleeping, you may get some relief with relaxation techniques or medication.
  • Avoid making major life decisions such as dropping out of school or changing majors. Positive changes can also cause additional stress.

Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event often suffer psychological stress related to the incident. In most instances, these are normal reactions to an abnormal event. If you feel that you are unable to regain control of your life, or if you experience the aforementioned reactions for more than a month, consider seeking professional mental health advice or assistance. For more information contact Student Counseling Services at (405) 271-7336.