The speaker highlighted that even individuals who have witnessed terrorist attacks, security escalations, or serious traffic accidents face a similar situation. According to him, the majority of these individuals, approximately 80%, will experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress 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. Professional therapeutic intervention can reduce the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. On the other hand, when not professional, it can increase the likelihood of developing it. The speaker emphasized that it is essential not to interfere with natural recovery processes.
A month and a half have passed since the difficult events, and those still experiencing symptoms at this stage are considered post-traumatic. It was challenging to estimate what percentage of participants fall into this category; however, it was likely around ten percent of them. Alongside them are many more individuals who encounter challenging situations and struggle to overcome them, requiring treatment.
The professor estimated that about 30,000 Israelis are defined as post-traumatic; however, he believed that this number would be much larger due to a lack of qualified professionals to treat such problems. The professor also discussed the prolonged struggle expected in the next ten or twenty years and emphasized the need for new treatments. He highlighted that survivors with post-traumatic stress can integrate into society’s labor market and reduce manpower shortages’ impact on society.
In conclusion, new treatments are necessary to help family members and friends needing treatment and support. Moreover, reducing manpower shortages requires developing new technologies over time while dealing with a prolonged struggle.
The speaker stressed that while some people may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress after witnessing traumatic events such as terrorist attacks or serious accidents, most individuals recover naturally within several months without requiring any treatment.
The professor pointed out that there is an estimated 30 thousand Israelis currently classified as suffering from PTSD due to various traumatic experiences they went through. However, he believes that this number could be significantly higher due to limited access to professional therapists in Israel.
Additionally, he talked about how survivors with PTSD should be encouraged to seek help from trained professionals rather than relying on self-treatment methods which could lead to more severe symptoms.
Finally, he emphasized that new technologies will play an essential role in treating PTSD in the future as traditional methods might not be enough for everyone.
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