Nuclear Minds: Cold War Psychological Science and the A-Bomb-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in relation to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The speaker highlights that in the aftermath of the bombings, both the Japanese and American psychiatric establishments struggled to understand and address the psychological consequences of the bombings. Initially, there was a denial and avoidance of discussing the human crisis and victimization caused by the bombings. However, in the 1950s, with the emergence of the anti-nuclear movement and increased awareness of the long-term effects of radiation, there was a shift towards acknowledging the psychological impact. Key figures such as psychiatrist Robert J. Lifton studied survivors in Hiroshima and drew connections between their experiences and those of Holocaust survivors. The speaker also emphasizes the role of social workers in providing care for survivors and the role of gender and race in shaping the recognition and treatment of PTSD. It is noted that while progress has been made in recognizing PTSD in Japan, challenges remain, particularly in establishing full recognition and support for survivors. The speaker also touches on the differences between military and civilian psychiatry in addressing PTSD and highlights the need for more research in this area.

Keywords

PTSD

atomic bombings

psychological consequences

Japanese psychiatric establishment

American psychiatric establishment

anti-nuclear movement

radiation effects

survivors

social workers

gender and race