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2010-03-09 10:13:23
Psychologists say they have treated hundreds of survivors of the 2005 London
bombings for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Over a third of the 1,000 survivors they identified and contacted using police
and hospital files needed help coming to terms with the events of 7/7.
Yet few had been referred for treatment by their family doctor and might
otherwise have missed out on care.
The University College London findings are reported in Psychological Medicine.
Professor Chris Brewin and his team say mental health outreach programmes such
as the one they set up after the London bombings, with funding from the
Department of Health, should be featured in future plans for the aftermath of
disasters or terrorist attacks.
After events like these people have had contact with the death of others and
the possibility of their own death. It can be very distressing
Lead researcher Prof Chris Brewin
Prof Brewin said: "If this programme hadn't existed then there would be
hundreds of people still suffering from post-traumatic stress or other
psychological problems as a result of the 2005 terrorist attack.
"Many of the survivors complained that GPs often did not recognise or know how
to treat their post-traumatic stress."
He said there were extreme situations when relying on GPs and primary care
services did not work.
Only 4% of the patients contacted by the psychologists in the outreach
programme had been referred for treatment by their GP.
Real difference
Of the 189 patients they treated, the vast majority reported improvements.
Prof Brewin said: "After events like these people have had contact with the
death of others and the possibility of their own death. It can be very
distressing."
Nightmares, flashbacks and a heightened sense of danger are among the symptoms.
"It's important not to let them struggle on for too long on their own.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can last for years and years if untreated."
Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
"It's fantastic that so much effort was put into looking after the mental
health of the London bombings survivors and it would probably be a wise to take
a similar approach after future disasters.
"However, everyone should be able to expect high quality and timely treatment
for their mental health problems, whatever the cause.
"Unfortunately, many common occurrences such as road traffic accidents, or
domestic abuse leave people suffering from shock and PTSD every day, and they
should be able to expect support from regular NHS mental health services."
Care Services Minister Phil Hope said following the 7/7 attacks "all those who
need help have continued to receive help from the NHS".
The Department of Health has also been working to improve access to
psychological therapies for any needing them, setting the target of at least
one service in each primary care trust by April 2011.