Expert warns of mental wounds after attacks

The psychological wounds caused by the London bombs could affect the survivors long after their physical injuries have healed, a leading stress expert warned today.

Some victims of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York are still struggling to lead normal lives.

The same fate could be in store for people caught up in yesterday’s blitz on three tube trains and a London bus, said Prof Cary Cooper, from the University of Lancaster.

In weeks, months and possibly even years to come they were likely to be shaken by the effects of post traumatic stress.

Some would experience shocking flashbacks – images imprinted on the memory from just before or just after the event that can materialise without warning.

Their nights could be haunted by terrible dreams, and their personalities might change.

Extroverts may become withdrawn, natural jokers humourless, and placid individuals short tempered and aggressive.

But Prof Cooper, who was born in Los Angeles, was full of praise for the resilience and spirit shown by Londoners and believed they would be able to cope better than most.

Both people directly and indirectly affected by the blasts could experience the psychological fall-out, he said.

“What we have right now is the immediate physical and emotional trauma of the incident,” said Prof Cooper.

“For those involved it’s sort of like what happens after a death in the family. You deal with the physical trauma and immediate shock in the same way as, after a sudden death, you sort out funeral arrangements and other practical things.

“But then further down the line the psychological injury shows itself. It’s hard-wired into your system. You’ve buried it, but something will trigger it off. It could be seeing a London bus, going back to work in the rush hour, or spotting something you’ve associated with the event.

“Perhaps just before the bomb went off you saw a woman sitting in front of you in a red dress. Seeing another woman in a red dress might be the trigger. Then it all comes back – you might feel anxious and depressed and find it difficult to concentrate.

“Post traumatic stress usually changes behaviour. A person might become unusually aggressive or withdrawn. Its a re-ignition of a sense of harm, how close you were to dying or being very seriously injured. That highlights your vulnerability and makes you feel insecure.”

Nightmares and “flashbacks” were common symptoms of psychological trauma, he said. A “flashback” was an image burned in the mind after a terrifying experience which could re-appear out of the blue.

“You’re pinpointing something just preceding or just after the incident,” said Prof Cooper. “It might be a face full of blood, or a burning hand, or something apparently innocuous but associated with the event. It’s almost like a picture on your mobile phone.”

Partners, friends, relatives and employers should be on the look out for these warning signs, he said.

It was vital not to avoid the horrible memories, but to get them out in the open.

“It’s very important to talk about it, because a lot of this stuff is buried,” said Prof Cooper. “People who seek people to talk to will be OK. Others may need counselling.

“In bad cases the effect on personal relationships can be devastating. If friends, family and work colleagues can’t help then you have to make sure the person involved gets professional assistance. The first step is to see your GP.

Professor Cooper said he feared there may be a larger, community-wide post-traumatic reaction caused by the news coverage and pictures of the bombings.

But he hoped the euphoria generated by London winning the right to hold the Olympics would help people cope.

“It might in some way prove to be a psychological inoculation that makes people feel good and confident,” he said. “Maybe it will help to make them more determined not to be cowed.”

However he added that fighting spirit was certainly not something Londoners and Britons were short of.

“The resilience I observed yesterday was unbelievable,” said Prof Cooper. “I don’t know many countries in the world which would have reacted like that. It may be an historic thing, because you’ve experienced the blitz and the IRA bombings, I don’t know, but it was incredible.”

He did not see the fact that commuter routes into London were quieter than usual today as an unhealthy sign.

“It’s not running away; I don’t think it’s avoidance,” he said. “The same thing happened the day after 9/11. People want to stay home to reflect about incident, think about what’s important, and maybe get a better perspective on life.

“I’d say it’s a healthy sign. Londoners aren’t frightened – they demonstrated that yesterday.”