On 20th anniversary, 9/11 memories to hit extra hard
Trauma, stress among mental health effects to be expected
Twenty years after the United States suffered crippling tragedy on Sept. 11, many people still experience flashbacks, traumatic memories, stress and other mental health impacts, especially as the anniversary approaches.
Regardless of how many years have gone by, it is still common for people to face sadness irritability, trouble sleeping or increased feelings of depression or anxiety about 9/11, said Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia, director of trauma-informed treatment, consultation, and outreach at McLean Hospital.
“It’s a very real phenomenon. It’s important to validate that it does happen,” Moreland-Capuia told the Herald.
She added, “It’s important to help folks recognize that a trauma reaction or feeling unsafe in the context of an event that made a lot of folks feel unsafe is reasonable.”
The effects Sept. 11 have not ended, and health impacts are not limited to just mental health. To date, more people have died from toxic exposure at Ground Zero than in the attacks, according to the Centers for Disease Control World Trade Health Center Program.
More than 60,000 first responders have been diagnosed with at least one medical condition related to 9/11, according to the Mesothelioma Center, and they face heightened risks of cancers such as leukemia and thyroid cancer.
Drug and alcohol use among survivors and first responders started to grow two years after the attacks and rates of cardiovascular disease increased as well.
According to a 2020 study of 63,000 enrollees of the The World Trade Center Health Registry, more than 10% had post traumatic stress disorder at baseline. PTSD was associated with an increase risk of death, the authors wrote.
Moreland-Capuia said people experience and process trauma in different ways, and those with direct exposure to an event such as 9/11 may have profound or prolonged feelings and reactions.
Traumatic memories can be triggered by things such as an anniversary, or even a familiar smell or sound, said Moreland-Capuia.
“Sept. 11 is etched in our hearts and mind forever. We know where we were, what we were doing and how the world stopped,” MorelandCapuia said.
She described trauma as a veiled epidemic impacting many people in society, adding that those experiencing trauma are often underserved and underdiagnosed.
The 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 will be hard to block out with news coverage, memorials and other commemorative events, so she suggested that people who are struggling come up with some plans for that day to occupy their mind and body.
“Healing is possible,” said Moreland-Capuia. She said healing is not about “getting over” something, but rather finding a way peaceably coexist with the fact that life is challenging and difficult at times, but can also be beautiful.
“I really, really encourage everyone to get the help and support they deserve. No one gets to tell you when and how fast to heal,” Moreland-Capuia said.