ABSTRACT
Major differences exist between acute and ongoing chronic traumas. A local school in New Hampshire experienced a hostage situation in which students were held at gunpoint, which was terrifying for the grade-school students. The community mental health center’s intervention was to support and reassure the students that no matter how terrifying school was yesterday, today school is safe. Coping with professional or vicarious posttraumatic stress disorder leaves a “wounded healer.” Listening to intense stories can lead to suffering, despair, hopelessness, and nightmares. Reactions can vary from denial to overidentification. Psychoses were treated pharmacologically as in the West, as well as by faith healers in Gaza. After sitting in on several patient interviews, he began to wonder about the accuracy of diagnoses and specific use of medications. His awareness grew of a strong rivalry between the disciplines of psychiatry and psychology.
