A psychologist is warning that some residents could experience post-traumatic stress disorder as shootings take place in their neighbourhood.

Dr. Philip Brownell says it is not just family or friends of victims who will suffer fear and anxiety, but neighbours, passers-by and business owners.

And he says children are also at risk of being troubled by the violence flaring around them.

He was speaking after three people were gunned down in less than two weeks. Altogether four people have been shot dead in the last seven months.

Dr. Brownell, of Benedict Associates, is already counselling the workers of one company who have lost family members in the gang violence.

"I went over to talk to one company who have an Employee Assistance Programme with us, and several of their employees have been affected," he said.

"These include family members or friends of people who have been killed.

"It wasn't just a simple grieving situation but was compounded and made more complex because of the nature of the business itself, which takes employees into the areas where the shootings have happened."

Dr. Brownell added: "The targets of the violence seem to be expanding now to extended family members, so some of these people are not only having to cope with grief but with post-traumatic stress disorder-type fear and anxiety.

"I also have individual clients who have businesses in these areas and the shootings are happening right around them, so they are also anxious.

"For example, one person is having to tell guys who are potential targets to stop hanging outside their business premises."

He said: "I think we're also going to be dealing with a lot more of these incidents, so we're expecting more demand for stress counselling and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"What distinguishes PTSD from general anxiety is that some traumatic event has happened, such as a shooting, and the person affected by that has some connection to it, either from being there in the area or by some relation to the victim.

"It's a troubling thing which has happened and there's a sense that they too could be in danger, that something bad might happen to them.

"So the situation is affecting the community in a very significant way. We've reached a different place with it now which is serious.

"I think this will be a growing problem. People will also worry about getting hit by a stray bullet. This is the kind of thing that happens when gangs go to war with each other."

Dr. Brownell said: "The Police are busy trying to deal with criminal activity but the community itself will be busy trying to deal with the toll of human suffering, and local businesses will be busy trying to deal with potential loss of money."

As for children, he advised parents to play more with the younger ones and talk more to the older ones.

"In general I would recommend that parents don't make a monster when children don't see one, but inquire of your children as to how they are doing and play with them more," said Dr. Brownell.

"Young children express themselves through play, so if you play with them in an interactive way, they will tend to act out the things that concern them.

"As for older children and teenagers, tell them, 'I am concerned about you and I want you to tell me what's going on with you'.

"This is a time to be closer to your children and to keep closer tabs on them. Reign them in if necessary but at the same time, this is not a time for lecturing."