Psychological sequelae to assassination attempts.
The experiences of nine subjects who were the victims of assassination attempts are described. All but one were the victims of shootings or attempted shootings. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was an almost invariable response. Brief alcohol abuse was quite common. Most subjects displayed considerable feelings of anger. Only a minority expressed anger against their assailants while much anger was displaced towards the medical profession and institutions of the state. This displacement of anger is discussed as are the implications for treatment of such displacement.
Stress Disorders Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Lagan Valley Hospital, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
O
O
Daly
B
B
Fleming
G
G
Loughrey
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D004208:Displacement, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology*