Protests Could Cause PTSD For HK People:expert

A mental health expert has expressed concern about the long term psychological impact of the extradition protests.

Psychiatrist Liu Kwong-sun said on Saturday that clients are suffering from insomnia, depression, anxiety and have even had suicidal thoughts for the past two months, with no sign of a let-up.

Liu says the protests will cause long-term damage to people in the SAR, and it would affect a cross-section of the city, including protesters, students, bystanders, reporters, people watching the news on television and police.

"After repeated exposures of this kind of traumatic memory, they would develop PTSD symptoms in the long run which could be very long lasting and damaging to their lives and mental health," Liu said.

The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event that the patient has suffered or witnessed. It says symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.