{"id":75480,"date":"2024-08-03T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T10:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/6d6cc803c20ea09d58b09e86fa488d82"},"modified":"2024-08-03T10:00:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-03T10:00:09","slug":"freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts\/","title":{"rendered":"Freed American prisoners Gershkovich and Whelan may face \u2018disruptive\u2019 trauma, say mental health experts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"article-gating gated-overlay\" readability=\"24.690978886756\">\n<div class=\"article-gating-wrapper\" readability=\"28.376199616123\">\n<p>Join Fox News for access to this content<\/p>\n<p>Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gating-legal tablet-desktop\" readability=\"21.43949044586\">By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News&#8217; <span class=\"waslinkname\">Terms of Use<\/span> and <span class=\"waslinkname\">Privacy Policy<\/span>, which includes our <span class=\"waslinkname\">Notice of Financial Incentive<\/span>. <\/div>\n<p><span>Please enter a valid email address.<\/span><\/p>\n<footer class=\"article-gating-footer\"><span class=\"waslinkname\">Having trouble? Click here.<\/span><\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\">While Thursday&#8217;s release of American prisoners from Russia was marked by celebration and relief, the former captives could face future health challenges, experts say.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\">Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American veteran Paul Whelan were among those <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>released from Russia<\/u><\/span> on Thursday in a large prisoner swap.<\/p>\n<p>A third U.S. citizen, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, was also released.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong>US-RUSSIAN PRISONER EXCHANGES OVER THE YEARS: SEE THE LIST<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>A plane carrying the freed Americans landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Thursday night, where they were greeted by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.<\/p>\n<p>The newly released prisoners were then flown to San Antonio, Texas, for evaluation and rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center, a premier military <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>medical facility<\/u><\/span>, according to reports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/whelan-gershkovich-split.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts.jpg\" alt=\"Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"9\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><span>Former prisoners Paul Whelan, left, and Evan Gershkovich, right, were released by Russia on Aug. 2, 2024.<\/span> <span>(Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Although the prisoners are safely back on U.S. soil and have been reunited with their families, they may experience <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>mental health challenges<\/u><\/span> stemming from the trauma of detainment, said experts.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Besides the obvious threats to one\u2019s safety and the horrifying prospect of confinement, a situation like this is fraught with uncertainty,&#8221; Dr. Norman Blumenthal, director of the Ohel Zachter Family National Trauma Center in New York, told Fox News Digital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>WSJ REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH RELEASED BY RUSSIA IN PRISONER SWAP; PAUL WHELAN ALSO BEING FREED<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ambiguity in and of itself induces stress \u2014 and that, coupled with their very predicament, can create a marked escalation of trauma.&#8221; (None of the experts cited here have treated the released Americans.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_39.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-1.jpg\" alt=\"Reporter Evan Gershkovich greets colleagues at Andrews Air Force Base\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"10.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"16\">\n<p><span>Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich greets colleagues at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. &#8220;It&#8217;s important that they have the space and privacy they need to process this on their own timeline,&#8221; said a mental health expert.<\/span> <span>(AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Dr. Karen DeCocker, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner director at Stella Centers in Chicago, noted that being held captive can lead to several types of trauma.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This varies from person to person based on prior history and the experiences encountered during captivity,&#8221; she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>TRUMP\u2019S ATTEMPTED ASSASSIN WAS A \u2018LONER,\u2019 FBI SAYS, AS EXPERTS SHARE TELLTALE SIGNS IN OTHERS ACROSS AMERICA<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>While each person reacts differently to trauma, Blumenthal predicted that the freed prisoners would likely experience an &#8220;initial thrill and exhilaration&#8221; from their liberation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The celebrations and enthusiastic reunions with <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>loved ones<\/u><\/span> can temporarily overshadow the trauma,&#8221; he noted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"5\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;Frightening flashbacks and intrusive recollections can become disruptive and destabilizing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;As life returns to normal and routines set in, that is often when the frightening flashbacks and intrusive recollections can become disruptive and destabilizing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>NYU Langone Medical Center<\/u><\/span>, said it is likely the prisoners experienced physical and mental abuse, sleep deprivation, dehydration, malnutrition and possibly infections.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Trauma disorders and symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author based in New York City, said that Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva, along with the other released prisoners, may suffer from both acute stress disorder (ASD) and <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>post-traumatic stress disorder<\/u><\/span> (PTSD).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>WHAT IS PTSD? SYMPTOMS THAT CAN EMERGE AFTER EXPERIENCING A TRAUMATIC EVENT<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>ASD is a short-term mental health condition that typically occurs within a month after a traumatic experience, according to Cleveland Clinic\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_15.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-2.jpg\" alt=\"This image released by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, and others aboard a plane\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"12\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"19\">\n<p><span>This image released by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, and others aboard a plane, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, following their release from Russian captivity.&nbsp;<\/span> <span>(White House via AP)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Acute stress disorder may include flashbacks, nightmares, intense fear and high anxiety,&#8221; Alpert told Fox News Digital.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It can also include feelings of numbness or detachment.<\/p>\n<p>PTSD occurs when such symptoms persist for a month or longer, and the <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>anxiety becomes chronic<\/u><\/span>, according to Alpert.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>FDA PANEL REJECTS MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPIES FOR PTSD DESPITE HIGH HOPES FROM VETERANS<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>PTSD may include many of the same symptoms as ASD, and can impair the person\u2019s ability to function in daily activities.<\/p>\n<p>The freed prisoners may also <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>experience depression<\/u><\/span>, anger and difficulty trusting others, said Alpert.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"5\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;The celebrations and enthusiastic reunions with loved ones can temporarily overshadow the trauma.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve also seen people have trouble focusing and making decisions in light of a trauma,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>It could also be challenging for the former prisoners to reintegrate into their normal environments and social groups, Alpert said.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms of trauma are &#8220;not universal,&#8221; Siegel told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/343\/192\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/686\/384\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/672\/378\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1344\/756\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/931\/523\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1862\/1046\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/720\/405\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1440\/810\/71c2358e-holding-hands.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-3.jpg\" alt=\"Holding hands\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><span>One &#8220;tried-and-true method&#8221; of coping is to retell the events to supportive people who act as listeners, not solvers, according to one expert.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;There are differences, and not everyone<span class=\"waslinkname\"> experiences PTSD<\/span>,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Common symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, depersonalization and derealization, anxiety and depression.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>DeCocker noted that symptoms can be both <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>mental and physical<\/u><\/span> \u2014 including the following five points.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Dissociation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Individuals may experience dissociation, where they feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings or sense of identity,&#8221; DeCocker told Fox News Digital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT COULD HAVE WIDESPREAD MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT, EXPERTS SAY: \u2018VICARIOUS TRAUMA\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This can manifest as feeling detached from oneself (depersonalization) or from the world around them (derealization).&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Survivor\u2019s guilt<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Some trauma survivors may feel a sense of guilt for having survived a traumatic experience when others did not, or for putting themselves or others in situations that led to captivity, DeCocker said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>They may also feel guilty about the <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>stress and anxiety<\/u><\/span> that family members and loved ones experienced during their imprisonment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Interpersonal and relationship issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Issues with trust, intimacy and personal relationships often occur with survivors and their families,&#8221; DeCocker told Fox News Digital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/Russian_Prisoners_Phone_Biden.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-4.jpg\" alt=\"Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan on the phone with President Joe Biden\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"8\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><span>Former prisoners Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan were on the phone with President Biden on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.<\/span> <span>(The White House)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The impact of their captivity often comes from their inability to relate the experience to others.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Self-esteem and identity issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Trauma survivors may experience feelings of shame, worthlessness or confusion about their identity, according to DeCocker.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In this case, where there was an exchange of prisoners, there may be added complexity,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Cognitive distortions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s not uncommon for trauma survivors to have negative beliefs about themselves or the world, according to DeCocker.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Generalizations about the world being unsafe or out of their control can occur,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Threats are often seen in everyday experiences.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tips for overcoming trauma<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Given the high-profile release, Gershkovich and Whelan will likely receive a large amount of <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>media attention<\/u><\/span>, Alpert noted \u2014 &#8220;but it\u2019s important that they have the space and privacy they need to process this on their own timeline.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>DeCocker agreed, stressing the importance of taking extensive time to heal and recover.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/span><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is no rush to reintegrate,&#8221; she told Fox News Digital. &#8220;Time is best devoted toward rest and restoring a sense of balance and normalcy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Embracing daily routines and structure can help with that, DeCocker said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/Evan-Gershkovich-Russia-Prisoner-Swap-WSJ_28.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-5.jpg\" alt=\"Former prisoner held by Russia US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva runs to her daughters Miriam Butorin and Bibi Butorinas\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><span>Former prisoner U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva runs to her daughters as she arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Aug. 1, 2024.<\/span> <span>(ROBERTO SCHMIDT\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The freed prisoners may also want to avoid spending too much time on <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>social media<\/u><\/span> and the news in the early days to avoid retriggering discussions and events, she advised.<\/p>\n<p>One &#8220;tried-and-true method&#8221; of coping is to retell the events to supportive people who act as listeners, not solvers, according to Blumenthal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Putting the experience into words can help with healing and adjusting to the more mundane aspects of life and routine,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"8\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;In the case of a severe trauma, such as being held prisoner and wrongly convicted, symptoms may not surface right away.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If symptoms are interfering with day-to-day functioning, Alpert recommends seeking professional help.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the case of a severe trauma, such as being held prisoner and wrongly convicted, symptoms may not surface right away,&#8221; he pointed out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It can be helpful to get ahead of it and speak to a specialist.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>All forms of <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>professional help<\/u><\/span> are useful, DeCocker noted. Those include talk therapy, psychiatric support, interventional treatment modalities specific to treating trauma, and physical treatments and therapies to heal the body.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/therapy-support.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/freed-american-prisoners-gershkovich-and-whelan-may-face-disruptive-trauma-say-mental-health-experts-6.jpg\" alt=\"Therapy support\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><span>If symptoms are interfering with day-to-day functioning, mental health experts recommend seeking professional help.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Other treatments may include cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>and medications<\/u><\/span> such as beta blockers, antidepressants and potentially psychedelics, according to Siegel.<\/p>\n<p>Support from loving <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>family members<\/u><\/span> and friends is also key, the doctor added.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong><u>For more Health articles, visit <\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/span><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong><u>www.foxnews\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Most people do have an &#8220;inherent resilience and capacity to hope,&#8221; Blumental said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These and other freed hostages may, on their own, mobilize and harness strength and heroic reformulations of their recent incarceration to go on and resume normal functioning.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><i>Scott McDonald of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge. 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