September 11th Survivors and the Refugee Model

This article compares the experience of people working in the area of the World Trade Centers (WTC) on September 11th to the experience of refugees. The refugee model provides a better description of survivorsʹ experience than a diagnostic model. The authorʹs service provision for an organization adjacent to the WTC after September 11th serves as a basis for suggesting this alternative perspective. Positive and negative aspects of diagnosing victims of disasters are discussed both in general and specifically related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Information regarding the refugee experience is presented and related to the experience of WTC survivors. Implications for framing the treatment process in similar disasters are suggested.