A Brief Review of Issues in PTSD Research Following the September 11 Tragedies

Abstract

The attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001 resulted in the largest loss of life due to terrorism that the United States has ever encountered. Terrorism often results in pronounced numbers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) cases. Following the September 11 attacks, many research studies reported increases in PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS), and stress reactions; however, the inconsistency in the methods used to gather and analyze data poses problems in comparing and interpreting these results. A brief review of the methods used in trauma-related research following September 11 is presented. Guidelines for interpreting this research are also presented.