Tips for Dealing With Terrorism
Tips for Dealing With Unexpected Tragedies
Terrorist attacks are intended to cause physical and psychological harm. In an age when horrific images of events are immediately broadcast across the nation, many more people than those directly involved will suffer psychological harm.
1. Acts of terrorism can naturally cause children and adults to be confused, afraid, angry, or even feel powerless. It is important to acknowledge these feelings but not get stuck in them.
2. People who have suffered trauma in the past are especially vulnerable after terroristic attacks, and should consider reaching out to a mental health professional.
3. Most Americans can fight the feelings of anxiousness, loss and confusion associated with terrorism by staying calm and doing what they can to connect with and reassure their friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
4. In extreme instances, tragedies can trigger, or retrigger, an extremely debilitating condition called post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can occur after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. People with PTSD can experience emotional numbness and sleep disturbances, anxiety, and irritability or outbursts of anger. People who are exposed to trauma‹even repeated news coverage of traumatic events‹can experience elements of PTSD without having the full-blown disorder.
5. For this reason, children's viewing of media images of terrorist attacks should be limited, and special care should be taken to talk with children and adolescents about their feelings and thoughts following a tragedy like this. Sometimes, in response to children's questions, adults can reassure them that they are safe and give information that is appropriate to the child's age and maturity.
6. During times of stress, people who have depression and other mental illnesses may see their condition worsen. These people should contact their mental health care provider, if they feel it is necessary. Remember that if someone threatens to commit suicide it should be handled as a medical emergency. Take the individual to the nearest hospital emergency room, or call Netcare Access at 276-2273.