The speaker discussed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals who have witnessed terrorist attacks, security escalations, or serious traffic accidents. He emphasized that the majority of these people, approximately 80%, will experience symptoms of PTSD in the hours, days, and even the first month or two after the event. However, most of them manage to overcome these symptoms without requiring treatment.
The professor added that it is not always necessary to interfere with the natural recovery process and that professional therapeutic intervention can only reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD. In contrast, non-professional interventions can increase this risk.
The speaker mentioned that about a month and a half had passed since the difficult events, and those still experiencing symptoms at this stage are considered post-traumatic. It was challenging to estimate how many participants fell into this category, but it was likely about ten percent. Many more individuals encounter challenging situations and struggle to overcome them, requiring treatment.
The professor estimated that there are approximately 30,000 Israelis defined as post-traumatic, though he believed this number would be much larger. One significant issue was the lack of qualified professionals to treat such problems. The professor also discussed the prolonged struggle expected in the next ten or twenty years and the need for new treatments for PTSD.
In conclusion, new treatments are crucial for helping family members and friends requiring treatment and support and for reducing the shortage of manpower in Israel’s labor market. This effort will involve developing new treatments, dealing with a prolonged struggle, and creating new technologies to aid in overcoming PTSD’s effects on individuals’ lives.
