Israel at war: the center for citizens suffering from post-trauma
In the early morning hours of October 7, 2023, a devastating attack by the Hamas organization began, which took a staggering toll during which thousands of people lost their lives or were injured and many others experienced severe trauma. As the agonizing images and heartbreaking stories accumulate from the field, the threat of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) becomes real for a large number of civilians and soldiers who were exposed to the horrors.
Responding to citizens suffering from severe PTSD
The immediate result for people experiencing traumatic events is dealing with feelings of confusion, disconnection, anxiety and extreme helplessness. Through focused and immediate psychological intervention, the center hopes to prevent this result from worsening into an acute and persistent post-traumatic reaction. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and often treatment-resistant condition that causes disruption in all areas of life, including the social, occupational and interpersonal aspects. The professional literature reflects a bleak picture according to which over 22% of those exposed to life-threatening combat events (past Israeli wars or 9/11 events) may develop PTSD. This rate is expected to be even higher among the citizens who experienced severe violent incidents while locked in their homes.
An innovative approach to treating citizens
Shamir Medical Center is the leader in the world in research and treatment of military veterans suffering from PTSD. Our groundbreaking protocol combines hyperbaric therapy (HBOT) with a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated entirely to the treatment of severe PTSD. The research done at the center demonstrates how, with the help of neuroplasticity, this therapeutic approach allows for the repair of the microstructure of the brain and its function, improving its abilities, reducing the biological damage of PTSD, significantly relieving the symptoms, and improving the quality of life of military veterans PTSD sufferers are resistant to treatment. Follow-up research done at the center proves the long-term clinical results, which last even two years after the treatment. Moreover, the study emphasizes the improvement in social functioning and the reduction of drug dependence over time, two years after the treatment ended. As a result of the success of the unique treatment, soldiers suffering from treatment-resistant PTSD are now regularly referred to us, so that they can receive the combined treatment and enjoy the exciting results.
Expanding access to treatment
In addition to its work with soldiers, the trauma care unit has gained considerable experience in implementing the integrated treatment protocol among diverse populations, including adults suffering from PTSD unrelated to combat events, and children and adults suffering from childhood trauma.
Today, we are faced with the need to leverage the unit’s clinical expertise, and use it as a unique and effective tool for treating citizens who are facing severe trauma following the current crisis and who remain unanswered. The road to healing is long, strenuous and financially demanding. Supporting the expansion of the center’s trauma unit will allow us to provide comprehensive, professional and continuous care, which will be adapted to the unique needs of each patient. The operation of the unit in strategic proximity to the hospital’s emergency room allows us to respond to physical injuries at the same time as trauma treatment, reduce bureaucratic delays and ensure timely treatment.
Bashmir aims to provide necessary, comprehensive and long-term care to about 1,000 adults and children who are dealing with severe symptoms of PTSD. You are invited to contribute to the project whose cost is 8 million dollars, to influence and bring balm to the souls of those whose lives have been changed forever due to the horrors of war.