People caught up in terrorist attacks or
natural disasters are more resilient, both as individuals and in
groups, than previously thought.
Far from being passive “victims” they can be
highly organised survivors, so much so that they should be involved
in drafting mental health guidelines to deal with major
disasters.
Richard Williams, professor of mental health
strategy at the University of Glamorgan, was speaking at a
symposium on conflict and mental health at the Annual Meeting of
the Royal College of Psychiatrists at Imperial College London on 2
July.
Prof Williams has reviewed the psychosocial
impact of terrorism and disaster on individuals and groups. He has
analysed research literature to understand why certain people cope
better in the aftermath of such trauma than others.
Prof Williams drew a distinction between
distress – a perfectly understandable reaction to a traumatic event
– and a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and said that it was
important not to medicalise, ‘ordinary processes’ such as
bereavement.
He defined resilience as a person’s ability to
adapt psychologically, emotionally and physically to the situation
“reasonably well” and without lasting detriment to themselves, or
their relationships.
Resilience is not about avoiding short-term
distress - indeed resilient people include those who show their
distress, he told delegates. It is about adapting to their
situation and being realistic about their recovery. “Resilient
people may experience a period of distress and then recover with
the support of their families and friends.”
Strong relationships, an ability to receive
help and social support, a belief in their own competence and
strong self-esteem, lie at the heart of resilience. “What happens
in your past comes alive in you during a disaster and you draw on
that,” said Prof Williams.
Survivors from disasters and terrorist events
should be offered responses that draw on psychological first aid,
Prof Williams told the conference. Being protected from further
threat, being consoled and comforted and given immediate physical
care, are all vital, as is being reunited with loved ones and
linking up with other support services, if necessary.
The notion that crowds panic following
disaster and terrorist attacks, is a myth. During the London
bombings on 7 July 2005, the ‘first responders’ were the survivors
in the bus and underground carriages in which the terrorists chose
to detonate their bombs, as well as passengers on an adjacent
train, said Prof Williams.
Referring to descriptions in a book by a
London journalist who was present, and research, Professor Williams
said: “Most of the survivors continued to experience thoughts of
threat but the prevailing response was of calm, mutual help,
concern and ordered behaviour. They remained functional and did not
panic. This group of people stuck in a very serious situation were
behaving resiliently. This should influence what we do in the
aftermath of a disaster.”
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
The Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Imperial College, London, 1 – 4 July 2008