Preventing PTSD in ChildrenIvanhoe Broadcast News - October 2, 2001
Oct. 2, 2001 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Experts say the repeated images of the World Trade Center collapsing on television may be harmful to children. For the first time, a group of researchers and psychologists have developed a treatment model for post-traumatic stress in children. "There's a ripple effect of terrorism. It can literally impact thousands of innocent children," says Karen Sitterle, Ph.D., from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In an interview with Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Dr. Sitterle explains the aftermaths of terrorism on children and how television plays a large role in post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and UT studied 3,200 children 7 weeks after the Oklahoma City bombings. This is the largest group in America ever studied following a terrorist attack. More than 66 percent of children said most, if not all, of their television viewing was bomb-related. Researchers found children who watch the most TV have the most post-traumatic stress symptoms, including grief, anxiety and nightmares. In fact, TV is one of the strongest predictors of PTSD, along with being a victim and having a loved one killed or injured in the attack. Dr. Sitterle says because the live, graphic and unedited images are replayed on TV, younger children think it's happening again. She states, "It's like pounding the collective memory of the entire country." Now, Dr. Sitterle and colleagues have created a solution. "Terrorists intentionally target innocent victims and children are frequently involved, " remarks Dr. Sitterle, who recommends universal screening of children after traumatic events. After the recent terrorism, Dr. Sitterle suggests counselors in the New York schools evaluate all students, identify those at risk for PTSD, and put them in specialized treatment programs. Parents should be very mindful of what their children watch on TV, according to Dr. Sitterle. She says parents should limit TV news and discuss it with their child afterwards. Dr. Sitterle believes a specific public policy and everyone's cooperation can prevent more children from asking, "Will the war come to my neighborhood?" The American Psychological Association plans to publish the Oklahoma City study along with the recommended treatment model in an upcoming book. SOURCE: Karen Sitterle, Ph.D. Sept. 28, 2001 |