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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryUnderstanding Survivor’s Guilt
Table of Contents:OverviewTrauma Statistics for 9/11What is Survivor’s Guilt?Healing From Survivor’s Guilt and PTSD
PTSDRead Time: 4 Minutes
Published On: September 11, 2019
Reviewed On: September 11, 2019
Updated On: November 3, 2023
Overview
Where were you on 9/11?
Perhaps you were in one of the locations that was attacked and you remember every sight, every smell, every detail of that horrific day.
Trauma Statistics for 9/11
A study published inJAMAfound that people who were in New York City during the 9/11 attacksexperienced PTSD at a rate of 11.2%in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. But New Yorkers are resilient people, and most were able to return to normal (or a “new” normal) within a few months or a year.
However, for many people who experienced the attacks first-hand — those who had been in the WTC buildings during the plane crashes and building collapses — the psychological impact lasted much longer. According to a study from theAmerican Psychological Association(APA), 13% of WTC survivors hadPTSD symptoms14 years after the attack, and 68% had symptoms of depression in conjunction with PTSD.
Much of this is because of the sheer trauma of witnessing something as immensely disturbing as 9/11 — and believing in many cases that your life was about to end. But many of the mental health issues that persisted for 9/11 survivors has to do with something called “survivor’s guilt.”
What is Survivor’s Guilt?
Pasquale Buzzelli, who survived the collapse of the north tower on 9/11, toldNBC Newsthat he continued to experience survivor’s guilt, even ten years after the attack. “I should be happy,” Buzzelli said. “[T]his tastes better — and then you feel guilty about surviving. You think about the dads that didn’t see their daughters being born.”
Buzzelli’s description of survivor’s guilt is spot on. People who survive accidents, attacks, wars, mass shootings, natural disasters, or other traumatic events often can’t fully let themselves experience the joy of having made it out alive. They are wracked with guilt,depression, andsymptoms of PTSD.
Symptoms of survivor’s guilt include:
Anyone who survived a trauma can experience survivor’s guilt or PTSD, whether or not they have a history of mental illness. However, having a history of childhood trauma, abuse, mental health disorders, or substance abuse makes itmore likelythat you will experience survivor’s guilt.
Healing From Survivor’s Guilt and PTSDIf you are experiencing survivor’s guilt after 9/11 or any tragedy, please know that you are not alone. Experiencing these feelings — even many years after the event is common and understandable. There is no shame in having these feelings.TherapyThat said, if these feelings have lingered for many years or have made it difficult for you to function or enjoy your life, help is out there. Finding a therapist who specializes in trauma is a great place to start. Therapy can be a safe place to let all your feelings out, and to receive gentle guidance and helpful tools for how to manage your feelings so that you can live your best life.Survivor’s support groupsYou can also consider joining a survivor’s support group. There are many out there, including those specific to the type of tragedy you may have witnessed (you can find more info about 9/11 survivor’s groupshere). There is something incredibly healing and freeing about connecting with others whoexperienced the same traumayou did. You will soon find that your feelings are normal, and this can bring a great deal of solace.Your support systemIt is also very helpful to reach out to family and friends for support, if possible. It can be difficult to share such intimate feelings even with those we love, but it’s one of the best ways to heal. According to theAmerican Psychological Association(APA), survivors who experience self-blame after a tragedy are more likely to experience psychological disturbances. At the same time, one of the most impactful ways to heal from a trauma is tohave a strong support network.Most importantly, remember that if you are experiencing survivor’s guilt — even years or decades after an event — there is nothing wrong with you. You are only human, and we all heal from things differently, and at our own pace. It’s not too late to feel better.
Healing From Survivor’s Guilt and PTSD
If you are experiencing survivor’s guilt after 9/11 or any tragedy, please know that you are not alone. Experiencing these feelings — even many years after the event is common and understandable. There is no shame in having these feelings.
Therapy
That said, if these feelings have lingered for many years or have made it difficult for you to function or enjoy your life, help is out there. Finding a therapist who specializes in trauma is a great place to start. Therapy can be a safe place to let all your feelings out, and to receive gentle guidance and helpful tools for how to manage your feelings so that you can live your best life.
Survivor’s support groups
You can also consider joining a survivor’s support group. There are many out there, including those specific to the type of tragedy you may have witnessed (you can find more info about 9/11 survivor’s groupshere). There is something incredibly healing and freeing about connecting with others whoexperienced the same traumayou did. You will soon find that your feelings are normal, and this can bring a great deal of solace.
Your support system
It is also very helpful to reach out to family and friends for support, if possible. It can be difficult to share such intimate feelings even with those we love, but it’s one of the best ways to heal. According to theAmerican Psychological Association(APA), survivors who experience self-blame after a tragedy are more likely to experience psychological disturbances. At the same time, one of the most impactful ways to heal from a trauma is tohave a strong support network.
Most importantly, remember that if you are experiencing survivor’s guilt — even years or decades after an event — there is nothing wrong with you. You are only human, and we all heal from things differently, and at our own pace. It’s not too late to feel better.
Wendy WisnerWendy Wisner is a freelance writer and lactation consultant (IBCLC) whose work has appeared on/in The Washington Post, Family Circle, ELLE, ABC News, Parents Magazine, Scary Mommy, Babble, Fit Pregnancy, Brain Child Magazine, Lilith Magazine, and elsewhere. Find her at www.wendywisner.com.
Wendy Wisner is a freelance writer and lactation consultant (IBCLC) whose work has appeared on/in The Washington Post, Family Circle, ELLE, ABC News, Parents Magazine, Scary Mommy, Babble, Fit Pregnancy, Brain Child Magazine, Lilith Magazine, and elsewhere. Find her at www.wendywisner.com.
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