Incidents of terrorism induce shock, sadness, and anger, and leave many people, both those directly and indirectly affected, wondering how to deal with the aftermath of such tragic events. This digest offers tips and information on taking care of yourself, helping others cope and talking to your children about violence. 

Reactions to a Traumatic Event

 

• Disasters such as terrorist attacks can result in extreme emotions including stress, helplessness, fear, irritability, anger, depression and grief. Although everyone deals with trauma and stress differently, here are some common reactions:

• Recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event

• Difficulty sleeping or changes in appetite

• Anxiety and fear, especially when exposed to events or situations reminiscent of the trauma

• Feelings of depression, sadness and having low energy

• Memory problems including difficulty remembering aspects of the trauma

• Difficulty focusing on work or daily activities

• Spontaneous crying, feelings of despair and/or hopelessness

• Avoiding activities, places or even people who remind you of the event

• Feeling emotionally 'numb,' withdrawn, disconnected or different from others

• Feeling extremely protective of, or fearful for, the safety of loved ones

• If you or a loved one are experiencing extreme symptoms of stress, depression, grief or anger, consult a professional such as your doctor or Employee Assistance Program (EAP) immediately for help. Additionally, many temporary shelters offer free counseling services to victims or referrals to professionals who can provide further assistance. In addition, consider the following tips:

• Reach out to supportive friends and family for comfort and guidance.

• Be patient and give yourself plenty of time to recover and rest.

• Try to maintain a nutritious diet to keep your energy up.

• Focus on your breathing; deep, slow breaths will help calm you.

• Keep in mind that emotional and physical reactions to a traumatic event may not appear immediately. Sometimes they may appear hours, days or even weeks or months after the event. The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, months or possibly longer depending on the severity of the event. According to the American Psychological Association, individuals who are unable to regain control of their lives, or who experience the symptoms above for more than a month, should consider seeking professional mental health assistance.

How Children React to Trauma

 

How a child responds to a tragic event will vary depending on a child's age, personality and maturity level, and how directly he or she was involved with the tragedy. Children that were directly affected by an incident may suffer from severe anxiety or trauma and will probably need professional help. All children, however, may be affected by the violence.

 

Younger children may react by showing increased separation anxiety when their parents leave them at day care or school. Some children, particularly those age nine and under, may be unable to grasp the reality of the tragedy, or comprehend that violence could affect their own lives. Others may be frightened that something could happen to them. Older children may present a rough exterior or act out with aggressive behavior, and still others may attempt to protect themselves through denial, cynicism or apathy. Some signs of anxiety that may indicate your child is having difficulty dealing with the stress of a traumatic event include:

 

• Disrupted sleep patterns, frequent nightmares and/or insomnia

• Changes in eating habits, loss of appetite or overeating

• Decline in school performance

• Lack of concentration

• Irritability or prolonged depression

• Separation anxiety

• Unusual clinginess

• Regression

• Remember, these symptoms are common reactions to anxiety. However, if symptoms persist for longer than six weeks and disrupt your child's daily routine, seek help from a pediatrician, psychologist, or social worker. A professional can help your child deal with his or her emotions and can provide valuable tips and guidance to parents. In addition, ask your employer if they offer an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). An EAP counselor can provide counseling on a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, dealing with violence and more.

How Can Parents Help?

 

Speak to your child about the tragedy openly and honestly, adapting your conversations to the age of the child. Children deserve honest answers, regardless of their age. You do not have to provide every detail, but don't hold back too much information, either; instill trust in your child while helping him or her understand what happened. The following tips may help:

 

Encourage your child to express his or her feelings. Children usually feel better when they can talk about their feelings. To help your child sort out his or her feelings, ask specific questions such as 'How do you feel?' 'Does it make you feel scared?' ' What worries you the most? 'Encourage your child to be honest and open, and listen carefully for clues about hidden feelings or worries.

 

Reassure your child.Respond to your child's feelings, acknowledge his or her fears, and continually reassure your child that he or she is safe. Stress that this was a rare incident, and that he or she is not in danger, but avoid making false promises such as 'nothing like this will ever happen to you.' Instead, offer your love, support and guidance and say things such as "I am here to protect you and to help keep you safe." In addition, remind your child that others such as the police and government are also doing everything they can to keep us safe.

 

Monitor the media. Monitor and limit Internet usage and the amount of television your child watches. If your child sees disturbing footage, his or her fears and anxieties may escalate. Do not allow younger children (under age eight) to watch television. Older children should watch television (briefly) with parental supervision. Explain to them what is going on and then shut the TV off, saying you will check back later.

 

Speak to your child's school administrators. Ask your children's teachers and/or school principal how they are handling the event. Are classes proceeding as normal? Are crisis counselors available? Many schools speak to students about safety issues, and reassure them that they are doing everything possible to keep the children safe.

 

Pay close attention to your child. Any unusual behavior may be a reaction to stress, fear or trauma. Learn how to recognize the warning signs (as described in the previous section) and seek professional help from a pediatrician, counselor, social worker, psychologist or other professional, if necessary.