Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

It’s something of a taboo, a subject that prompts silence, fear, disbelief, or avoidance: the subject of torture. Yet in France it’s estimated that one in three asylum seekers has been subjected to torture. And for these men women and children, being an immigrant means living with the added trauma of exile.

In Europe a small number of charities have been set up to help care for these victims and alleviate the psychological scarring they carry deep within. One such charity is "Parcours d’exil", a Paris-based organisation that offers a global approach: from medical and psychological assistance, to art therapy, administrative guidance and social activities. “Because what’s the point in healing a painful past if you don’t take into account the difficult reality of their current situation?” explains Dr Dutertre, the man who heads the organisation.

And the healing begins with small but all-important marks of respect: from the moment patients walk in the door and arrive at the front desk, to the newly painted walls and complete freedom in setting up their next appointments…the sort of respect that is so often lacking “outside”.

While you’d expect the patients to find some sort of release in talking about their experience, on the contrary talking is an extremely painful and loaded process. “It’s a fine line between “feel free to talk” and “you will talk”, says Anne Ferrari, one of the centre’s psychologists.

Some patients take years before mentioning their traumatic experience; others never disclose all the details of what happened to them. But in the words of one former patient, “knowing that the people here will listen and more importantly will believe me if I ever choose to talk - that’s what makes all the difference”.

The doctors and patients all agree: there’s no getting over an act of torture, the deliberate, methodical act of dehumanising a fellow human being. Trust and self-respect have been destroyed in the process. But slowly, the symptoms of a patient’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - nightmares, personality changes, lack of appetite, insomnia - do improve a little. And these amazing survivors can get on with the other challenges of their lives.

Survivors of Haiti’s devastating January earthquake are also likely to be affected by PTSD…but is it necessarily a good thing for them to revisit such painful memories so soon after the event? Certainly, the aftershocks of the tremor will also be measured in the hearts and minds of the island’s population, especially its children.

Those most at risk of PTSD are of course war veterans. According to a new study, combat soldiers who suffer from the disorder could be at an increased risk of dementia and, in particular, of Alzheimer’s disease - a link that could change the way we treat both illnesses.

If you’d like more information about how to help torture victims, visit The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. Charities such as Parcours d’exil depend on private funds, so feel free to find out more and make a donation online.