Israeli trauma psychologist visits Australia
Ben-David said her research is focused on assessing those at risk of developing PTSD.
Chief Psychologist at Hadassah Medical Centre Dr Shiri Ben-David was recently in Australia to share insights on mental health in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, including the latest research in trauma care at Hadassah and a study on antisemitism in the UK that aims to promote wellbeing in Diaspora communities.
“Most Israelis have gone through a traumatic event once or more,” Ben-David said, “whether being in the Gaza envelope … on October 7, or being a soldier … or your house being attacked by missile, having to go to shelter.”
She said that most people experience traumatic events without suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but around 20 per cent will develop PTSD.
Trauma can also result in other mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety that are not PTSD – which Hadassah also treats. Hadassah operates three campuses with psychologists at each hospital – Mount Scopus, Ein Kerem and Bet Shemesh.
Ben-David said her research is focused on assessing those at risk of developing PTSD. “We identified ‘learnt helplessness’ as a risk factor in developing PTSD,” she said. ‘Learnt helplessness’ occurs when individuals learn they cannot defend themselves or cope with challenges. Her research found a link between cognitive biases and learnt helplessness, such as paying attention to negative cues.
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