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Mental Health
Studies conducted after 9/11 suggest that those who experienced the WTC disaster and those who repeatedly witnessed the events on television and in newspapers are at greater risk of developing long-term psychological problems. There are 52 related health conditions, including many mental health conditions, covered by the WTC Health Program.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the most common health effect of exposure to 9/11. Up to 20% of adults directly exposed to or injured in the disaster had PTSD symptoms five to six years after 9/11. This is four times the rate in the general population.
Further research has shown that PTSD and lower respiratory symptoms each influence the occurrence of the other over time. Several factors play a role in the relationship between PTSD and lower respiratory symptoms including the presence of specific lower respiratory symptoms, overall health, and maladaptive behaviors that can exacerbate the co-occurrence of PTSD and lower respiratory symptoms.
In addition, PTSD is associated with earlier death and specifically death from suicide, unintentional accidents, and drug overdose, as well as, cardiovascular disease. Also, PTSD or PTSD in combination with 9/11-related physical health problems can result in early retirement and substantial post-retirement income loss.
Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)
Some enrollees experienced post-traumatic growth or positive psychological growth following trauma such as 9/11, which was augmented by high social integration, more social support, and higher self-efficacy.
Post-traumatic growth involves gradual shifts in perspective as people integrate difficult experiences into their lives. These shifts may include a deeper sense of meaning, changes in priorities, strengthened relationships, or a greater appreciation for life. Learn more: Post-Traumatic Growth.
Depression
Ten years after 9/11, 15% of Registry enrollees reported depression and 10% reported both depression and PTSD.
Substance Use Disorders
Stress and exposure to the events of 9/11 may increase the risk of developing substance use disorders or cause relapse among people who previously had a substance use problem.
Additional Resources
Publications
- World Trade Center Exposure and Posttraumatic Growth: Assessing Positive Psychological Change 15 Years after 9/11 (2021)
- Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mortality Among Responders and Civilians Following the September 11, 2001, Disaster (2020)
- Probable Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Lower Respiratory Symptoms Among Rescue/Recovery Workers and Community Members After the 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks-A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis (2020)
- Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and lower respiratory symptoms in disaster survivors: Qualitative results of a 17-year follow-up of World Trade Center disaster survivors (2019)
- Impact of Health on Early Retirement and Post-Retirement Income Loss among Survivors of the 11 September 2001 World Trade Center Disaster (2019)