While the release of American detainees from Russia on Thursday brought joy and relief, experts warn that the former prisoners may encounter future health issues.
Among those freed from Russia during a significant prisoner swap were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American veteran Paul Whelan.
Additionally, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was also released.
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A plane carrying the freed individuals arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Thursday night, where they were welcomed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The newly released individuals were subsequently flown to San Antonio, Texas, for medical evaluation and rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center, a leading medical facility, reports indicate.
Former detainees Paul Whelan, left, and Evan Gershkovich, right, were released by Russia on Aug. 2, 2024. (Getty Images)
Although the prisoners have returned to U.S. soil and are with their families, experts warn they might face mental health concerns related to the trauma experienced during their detention.
“Beyond the clear dangers to one’s safety and the terrifying thought of confinement, situations like this embody a level of uncertainty,” Dr. Norman Blumenthal, director of the Ohel Zachter Family National Trauma Center in New York, shared with Fox News Digital.
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“The inherent ambiguity adds stress — when combined with their dire situation, it can significantly intensify trauma.” (The experts mentioned here do not have a professional relationship with the released Americans.)
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich speaks with colleagues at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, after being released in a 24-person prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. “Ensuring they have the space and privacy necessary to process their experiences on their own timeline is crucial,” noted a mental health expert. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Dr. Karen DeCocker, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Stella Centers in Chicago, explained that being taken captive can cause various types of trauma.
“The impact can differ for each individual based on their past experiences and the situations they confronted while in captivity,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Dr. Blumenthal anticipated that the released prisoners might feel an “initial rush of joy and exhilaration” following their release.
“The celebrations and joyful reunions with family members can initially mask the trauma,” he observed.
“Frightening flashbacks and intrusive memories can disrupt and destabilize one’s life.”
“As daily life resumes and routines are established, that’s often when frightening flashbacks and intrusive memories can become disruptive and destabilizing.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, indicated that the prisoners likely faced physical and mental abuse, sleep deprivation, dehydration, malnutrition, and possibly infections during their captivity.
Trauma disorders and symptoms
Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist and author, suggested that Gershkovich, Whelan, and Kurmasheva, along with the other released detainees, may experience both acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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ASD is a temporary mental health condition that usually arises within a month after experiencing trauma, as outlined on the Cleveland Clinic’s website.
This image released by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, along with others aboard a plane, on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, following their release from captivity in Russia. (White House via AP)
“Acute stress disorder may manifest as flashbacks, nightmares, intense dread, and heightened anxiety,” Alpert explained to Fox News Digital.
It can also be characterized by feelings of numbness or emotional detachment.
PTSD is diagnosed when such symptoms endure for a month or more and the anxiety becomes chronic, according to Alpert.
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PTSD shares similar symptoms with ASD and can hinder the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks.
The former prisoners might also experience depression, anger, and difficulties in trusting others, Alpert noted.
“The celebrations and enthusiastic reunions with loved ones can temporarily mask the trauma.”
“I have also witnessed individuals struggle with concentration and decision-making following a trauma,” he said.
Reintegrating into their normal environments and social circles could pose challenges for the released prisoners, Alpert mentioned.
Symptoms arising from trauma are “not universal,” Siegel indicated to Fox News Digital.
One effective method of coping is to recount the experiences to supportive individuals who serve as listeners rather than problem-solvers, according to an expert. (iStock)
Dr. DeCocker highlighted that symptoms can be both mental and physical, including five key aspects.
1. Dissociation
“Individuals may experience dissociation, feeling disconnected from their thoughts, emotions, or sense of self,” DeCocker informed Fox News Digital.
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“This may present as feeling detached from oneself (depersonalization) or from reality (derealization).”
2. Survivor’s guilt
Some individuals who have survived trauma may grapple with feelings of guilt for having survived when others did not or for placing themselves or others in perilous situations, DeCocker noted.
They may also feel guilty for the stress and anxiety that their family members and loved ones suffered during their imprisonment.
3. Interpersonal and relationship challenges
“Survivors often face difficulties with trust, intimacy, and relationships with their families,” DeCocker explained to Fox News Digital.
Former prisoners Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan are on the phone with President Biden on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (The White House)
“The repercussions of their captivity often arise from their difficulty in sharing their experiences with others.”
4. Self-esteem and identity problems
Trauma survivors may experience feelings of shame, low self-worth, or confusion about their identity, as explained by DeCocker.
“In the context of a prisoner exchange, this complexity may be amplified,” she added.
5. Cognitive distortions
It’s not uncommon for survivors to develop negative beliefs about themselves or the world, according to DeCocker.
“There may be generalizations that the world is unsafe or beyond their control,” she stated. “Threats can be perceived in everyday circumstances.”
Strategies for coping with trauma
Given the high-profile nature of their release, Gershkovich and Whelan are likely to attract significant media attention, Alpert observed — “but it’s crucial for them to have the privacy and space they need to process their experiences at their own pace.”
Dr. DeCocker concurred, emphasizing the importance of allowing ample time for healing and recovery.
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“There’s no rush to reintegrate,” she advised Fox News Digital. “Prioritize rest and restoring a sense of balance and normalcy.”
Establishing daily routines and structures can aid in this transition, DeCocker noted.
Former prisoner U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva runs to her daughters upon her arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Aug. 1, 2024. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The released individuals may also wish to limit their time spent on social media and news outlets immediately after their release to avoid triggering discussions and events that could be distressing, she cautioned.
One effective method to cope is to share their experiences with supportive listeners rather than problem-solvers, Dr. Blumenthal advised.
“Articulating the experiences can facilitate healing and ease the transition back to the mundane aspects of life and routines,” he explained.
“In cases of severe trauma, such as wrongful imprisonment, symptoms may not become apparent immediately.”
If symptoms begin to interfere with daily life, Alpert suggests seeking professional support.
“In severe trauma scenarios, like being imprisoned and wrongfully convicted, symptoms might not present themselves right away,” he cautioned.
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“Addressing this promptly and consulting a specialist can be beneficial.”
All forms of professional assistance are valuable, DeCocker noted, encompassing talk therapy, psychiatric care, specific trauma treatments, and physical therapies aimed at healing the body.
If symptoms are affecting daily life, mental health professionals recommend seeking help. (iStock)
Other treatment options may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation strategies, and medications such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, and potentially psychedelics, according to Siegel.
Support from caring family members and friends is also crucial, added the doctor.
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Most individuals possess an “inherent resilience and capacity for hope,” Blumenthal remarked.
“These and other freed hostages may eventually tap into their strength and reframe their traumatic experiences to resume normal life.”
Reporting contributed by Scott McDonald from Fox News Digital.
