Horenczyk of the Israel Center for the
Treatment of Psychotrauma showed an
increase in risk-taking behavior in ado-
lescents exposed to terrorism.
In her survey of 300 Israeli adoles-
cents, about 50 percent reported use of
alcohol, with the number rising to 90
percent among those suffering from
post-traumatic symptoms. Some 16 per-
cent reported driving recklessly, with the
number doubling for those experiencing
post-traumatic disorders.
"In a way, they say to themselves what
is considered not dangerous -- such as
taking a bus to school — has now
become fatal, so maybe drugs and sex
are not dangerous. The borders of dan-
ger and non-danger have collapsed,"
Pat-Horenczyk. said.
The Gaza Strip has seen some of the
most intense violence during the intifa-
da. The Gaya Community Mental
Health Program treats 5,000 children a
year in outreach programs in schools
and neighborhoods.
Program surveys found that a third of
Gazan children suffer from post-trau-
matic stress disorder, and most of the
others exhibit some symptoms of disor-
der as well.
Eyad el Sarraj, who heads the pro-
gram, says the most dominant theme
seen in the children they treat is mor-
bidity and death. It is very damaging
and creates a new kind of culture —
this kind of talking and thinking about
death," el Sarraj said. "Children subject-
ed to certain experiences will continue
to have negative feelings unless they are
treated."
Meanwhile, at Alumim Elementary
School, located in a working-class
neighborhood of Afula, Israeli children
exposed to terrorist attacks are getting
help. In a lavender-and-lemon-colored
room called cheder cham, Hebrew foi-
the "warm room," children undergo ses-
sions with the school psychologist and
other therapists in which they talk
about the traumatic episode and learn
to process and cope with the trauma.
One boy says the room is so soothing
that "it feels like a bath."
Teachers who have been trained to •
help children cope with terrorism and
launch discussions in their classes fol-
lowing major terrorist attacks also come
to the room.
Esther Cohen, head of the child clini-
cal-psychology program at Jerusalem's
Hebrew University, says, "The bad news
is that we see children who are either
very anxious, very depressed or sadistic,
having acting-out kind of tendencies,"
Cohen said.
The most traumatized have forgotten
how to play.

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