People often feel they must be crazy to continue feeling bothered
by theevents of September 11. Yet trauma is unforgettable. It is normal
to be bothered, months or even years later. Symptoms will be evoked in
almost everyone. Indeed, as concentration-camp survivor Viktor Frankl has
said, "An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior."
Therefore, to react "normally" to the horrific acts of September 11 is
abnormal.
Expectable Reactions:
1. Immersion in media coverage: Dwelling on events to the point
that it interferes with everyday life.
2. Avoidance or minimization: Carrying on with life as if nothing
out of the ordinary has happened.
3. Task and activity-oriented tunnel vision: Focusing on daily
tasks and remaining detached from feelings and intrusive thoughts.
4. Resurgence of memories: New pain triggers pain from past
trauma.
5. Inappropriate behaviors and attitudes: Trauma can bring out the
worst-price gouging, tasteless humor about recent events.
6. Hyperreactivity, intolerance: Reacting negatively to the
behaviors and attitudes of people who are going on with life as
usual.
7. Preoccupation with what happened and what might happen: Fear of
environmental dangers, loss of sense of safety.
8. Marked emotionality: Crying, disturbance of sleep, irritability,
sadness, anxiety, grief, rage, fear, nausea, guilt, change in appetite,
feelings of helplessness or pessimism.
9. Racist stereotyping: Tendency to dehumanize the enemy.
10. Feeling blessed or cursed: Belief in a higher power is
typically affected.
Strategies for Coping:
There are simple strategies to get back on track: Rest, exercise,
eat a healthy diet, prioritize what is important. Here are a few more
suggestions specific to recovery:
1. Get back to everyday routines: Find a balance between reflection
and introspection versus routines and activities.
2. Remember what worked before: There is no need for new
strategies; do things you normally enjoy.
3. Reassess priorities: Dedicate attention to what is most
important.
4. What lessons have you learned? Engage n constructive discussion
by talking, writing and speaking about it.
6. Balance: Keep up with current events yet pay attention to
yourself.
7. Find positives in the negatives: For every negative aspect there
is a potential positive corollary. For example, after September 11 came a
sense of caring. By helping others you will reinforce your own
self-esteem.
Ray Monsour Scurfield, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., is an assistant professor
of social work at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Tags:
abnormal reaction,
abnormal situation,
concentration camp survivor,
emotionality,
environmental dangers,
everyday routines,
healthy diet,
helplessness,
horrific acts,
inappropriate behaviors,
intrusive thoughts,
loss of sense,
minimization,
preoccupation,
tasteless humor,
tunnel vision,
viktor frankl
