Discussion: Special Topics in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Impact of terrorism on children
Introduction
Although most terrorist attacks do not trigger a substantial loss of life, the psychological effects
of terrorist acts and threats can be widespread. Although the reactions of the public may vary
from mild to moderate after the adjustment period, it is necessary to consider and avoid severe
and dangerous reactions in the minority that may include temporary hysteria; retaliatory attacks
on local minority groups, non-compliance with medical or other guidelines (e.g. decreased air
travel). These reactions can involve reactions to information that is sensationalized by the media
or inadequate implementation of evidence-based communication methods by public officials.
Any degree of behavioral symptoms and adaptation responses are expected for children
following a traumatic incident. Children's psychological responses to disasters can vary from
acute mild stress reactions to more serious and sustained effects of PTSD. These responses are
affected by gender, developmental stage, intrinsic resilience, and child social support, and the
degree of child trauma exposure. Exposure to trauma and violent events results in expressions of
terror, anxiety and depression. In most cases, these responses are within the normal range of
reactions to a stressful event, and when children are encouraged to learn how to deal with this
stress, their symptoms vanish.
Psychological Issues as a result of terrorism attack
Psychological stress due to a traumatic experience is typically short-term for a large
percentage of children and adolescents. However, some other children in the same age group can
experience psychological symptoms that do not improve naturally and end up being clinically
relevant, debilitating, and permanent. Such children may be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The prevalence of PTSD in children and adolescents is between 1 and 60 per
cent, depending on the target population and the measurements taken while making a diagnosis
(Al-Attar, 2020). Despite the act of terrorism, PTSD can also arise from other causes, such as
various forms of disasters and traumatic injuries, among others. As a consequence, some other
psychiatric complications other than PTSD can be associated with a traumatic incident. These
complications, most of which can occur along with PTSD, include mental disorders, mood
disorders, sleep disorders, emotional numbness, depressive illness, and suicidal ideation. Once
