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CIA Tactics Can Cause Mental Harm: Doctors

Bush-era interrogation memos understated long-term effects

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 20, 2009 10:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – Experts disagree with Bush-era rulings, made public in memos released last week, that interrogation techniques the CIA used on terror suspects don’t cause lasting psychological damage, the Los Angeles Times reports. “There’s absolutely no question they are going to lead to permanent mental harm,” one psychology professor says, triggering anxiety, paranoia, and “the destruction of people’s personalities.”

Prolonged stress can kill off neurons in the brain and contribute to physical problems like heart disease and diabetes. But a former Department of Justice employee defends interrogation practices as “enormously restrained—they’re not relying on brute force, they’re not relying on infliction of pain.” Experts say any torturous technique is likely to elicit false information.


Using threats of fearsome animals doesn't actually hurt prisoners, officials contend. But the mental damage done by enhanced interrogation techniques can be permanent.
Using threats of fearsome animals doesn't actually hurt prisoners, officials contend. But the mental damage done by "enhanced interrogation techniques" can be permanent.   (Getty Images)
Volunteer torture victim Maboub Ebrahimzdeh is restrained as human-rights activists demonstrate waterboarding on him in front of the Justice Department in this 2007 photo.
Volunteer torture victim Maboub Ebrahimzdeh is restrained as human-rights activists demonstrate waterboarding on him in front of the Justice Department in this 2007 photo.   (Getty Images)
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I disagree wholeheartedly with their contention that there are no long-term psychological effects of these treatments. - Nina K. Thomas, an adjunct clinical associate professor at New York University

If this is torture, we've been torturing our own soldiers for years. Why is it that we are all of a sudden revolted and aghast? - David Rivkin, who served in the Justice Department, arguing against claims that the CIA's interrogation techniques cause lasting mental damage

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
woodyTX
Apr 20, 2009 5:08 AM CDT
I'm absolutely shocked at these findings ! Who would have thought that sleep deprivation, continued phyical discomfort (standing for days in a small space etc) and repeated simulated drowning could do this ? Are you sure ? Let's double check just to confirm.
Mad
Apr 20, 2009 4:24 AM CDT
Who cares what those elitist college boys say, if Rush says it ain't torture, it ain't torture - huh republicans? WTF do Cons tell themselves so they can sleep at night? What mantra do they repeat over and over to drown out the constant daily reminders that THEY ARE WRONG. Constantly republicans are proven wrong about Bush, wrong about global warming and wrong about torture. Why must republicans always be brought kicking and screaming to the truth?

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