Psychiatric implications of missile attacks on a civilian population: Israeli lessons from the Persian Gulf War

Article Abstract:

A significant number of Israeli civilians experienced stress and other psychiatric disorders associated with repeated missile attacks and the threat of chemical warfare during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Israel was attacked 18 times by Iraqi surface-to-surface Scud missiles. Of 773 Israeli civilians who were treated at 12 hospital emergency departments after a missile attack or false alarm, 328 (43%) suffered from a stress reaction, and 208 (27%) had mistakenly injected themselves with atropine, an antidote to nerve gas. More stress reactions and mistaken injections with atropine occurred during attacks at the beginning of the war than later in the war. During earlier missile attacks, civilians did not know whether the missiles had a conventional or chemical warhead. Anxiety may have caused the death of several citizens who panicked during attacks.

Surface to surface missiles, Persian Gulf War, 1991, Chemical warfare, Surface-to-surface missiles

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Terrorism assails nation's psyche

Article Abstract:

Research suggests that mass terrorist attacks cause psychiatric disorders in the general population as well as individuals directly caught up in events, which is known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A psychological first aid is planned with an aim to reduce exposure to traumatic cues, soothe and reduce stress of extreme emotion, offer reassurance that it is normal to be upset, and that such feelings would subside and connect people with family and community resources.

United States, Risk factors

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Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and coping behaviors among a nationally representative sample in Israel

Article Abstract:

Many Israelis are coping well enough with the continual terrorist attacks in Israel since September, 2000, according to a survey of 512 residents. Only 10% had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, although 59% had symptoms of depression. Only 27 had sought professional help for their mental health problems and most were optimistic about their personal future.

Israel, Causes of, Security systems industry, Suicide bombings

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