Now Confirmed: First-Responders from September 11WTC Attacks Likely to Suffer from PTSD, Respiratory Disease

It is now confirmed that recovery personnel who first responded a few minutes after the September 11 attacks often suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), respiratory illness, or both. This finding is funded by several health institutions, including Stony Brook School of Medicine World Trade Center Health Program.

Majority of immediate responders present a few minutes after the first plane impact are either injured or killed by explosions. As numerous civilians, police, firefighters and medical personnel who live in nearby areas of New York City responded a few minutes after the collapse of the twin towers, their numbers will probably never be known.

But nevertheless, many of them were shocked with raw and graphic images of falling bodies, smoke from debris and burning jet fuel; enough to promote emotional wounds that would later progress to PTSD. Compounding to the problem is the inadvertent release of toxic silicone and asbestos used as construction materials, which developed into respiratory problems later.

 

Survivors with PTSD and Respiratory disorders not uncommon

A former study revealed that, after checking the survivors-responders during 2002 and 2008, respiratory disorders and PTSD are indeed associated. Furthermore, evidence is found related to PTSD playing a mediating role in development of other medical disorders as well.

In short, many of PTSD sufferers also suffered from tobacco smoking, obesity and altered pulmonary functioning, in addition to lung problems previously diagnosed by doctors after the tragedy.

 

Police personnel less likely struck by PTSD

Among WTC survivors-responders, data shows that police personnel are less affected by PTSD, but still affected by respiratory problems, compared to non-traditional responders. This shows that non-traditional responders are in need of more psychological help to prevent long-term disability.

Researchers recommend that, as shown in the study, WTC responder-survivors who had PTSD should also be screened for respiratory symptoms. But still, long-term studies are still needed to ascertain the full extent of impact caused by the WTC attacks to survivors.

The results of the study are published online in Psychological Medicine.

 

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