Stress Disorder
PTSD
Terrorism
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A Rest Stop From Depression and Thoughts of Suicide
(Part 2)
Combating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Carol S. North, MD, MPE, a Washington University psychiatrist authored a study of survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. One in three developed PTSD and almost half suffered depression or alcoholism. They found that those who relied most on numbing (alcohol and drugs) and those who avoided thinking or talking about the bombing were most likely to develop long-term problems.
The general population of the USA is more at risk of suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD after the World Trade Center attack than it was after the Oklahoma City bombing. This is due to the increased scope of the disaster and the fact that many of us witnessed the despicable event live on TV, and again and yet, again.
I shall not, nor have I ever, written about personal pain and emotional trauma without, to the best of my ability, attempting to help ease the pain and normalize the emotional trauma. These are my suggestions to help combat our Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD:
1. First and foremost is to become informed. You should know why you are having flashbacks, unusual emotions and unexplained autonomic responses. These symptoms are natural reactions to trauma. The conscious mind is not innately aware of how or why the unconscious mind reacts to trauma in order to maintain control of our being. If our conscious mind over reacts to the symptoms of trauma we risk making it worse and may become depressed.
2. Think about and talk to others about your experience and your feelings. Your thoughts and talks should be directed.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
If you do nothing but re hash the horror of that event and leave it at that, you will reinforce and strengthen the unconscious response to that trauma. You must end each thought or talk affirming that you will do everything within your power to regain control, and that there is hope in the future, however slight. Tell the truth, it may be that your only chance to regain control is to seek help and that you failed today but you WILL try again tomorrow. If you cannot do this then I suggest that you seek professional help.
When you think and talk about the event in this manner, over time it will help to desenseitize the emotional and autonomic responses and you will be less likely to become depressed.
3. Do not try and hide or mask your symptoms by using alcohol and drugs, it will do no good and may hasten the depressive response.
4. Exercise, eat right, and cleanse your body of toxins by drinking more water and possibly a short one or two day juice fast. This will clear your mind, strengthen your immune system, and help combat negative thoughts.
5. Take a break from thinking about this incident. Right after the terrorist attacks I was glued to the television set for days on end. I had to force myself to return to work and finally decided to write this article. I know that this article is about the World Trade Center terrorism, but my focus is on presentation and finding solutions and not on the negative aspects. Of course you need to keep informed and I am not suggesting hiding from it, but your mind needs a rest, find other things to do.
6. Find ways to help others. This keeps you from over personalizing the event. Right after the attacks many people donated blood and financial contributions have been extraordinary. At the appropriate time you could write letters to the survivors showing your support, and later there may be people in the armed services that might appreciate a letter of support.
You also might organize and attend a local support group for people, especially the young, who have been suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PSTD because of this event.
Conclusion
My hope is that this situation is resolved in a timely manner with the least possible loss of life and that very few people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD. My fear is that further bad news will exacerbate the incidence and severity of PTSD and depression. Either way I hope that the professional and governmental mental health communities are prepared and take some action before things get out of hand.
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