Stress / Question
Published: October 24, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have been so scared and confused after the September 11 attacks. I have so many conflicting emotions, and they have led to so much stress in my life. My grades have suffered and I find myself getting annoyed with people much more quickly. Is this normal? Is everyone this stressed out? I have felt generally unhealthy with an increased occurrence of headaches. What can I do to get past these attacks and the current anthrax scare without trivializing the situation?
Signed: 9/11/01 - Stress
Dear 9/11/01 - Stress,
Many people have had similar reaction such as yours. Most of us have never experienced something so painful and traumatic that would help us prepare for what is going on now. Life for all of us has drastically changed since September 11th and it will take time to sort it out and go on with our lives.
If your thought or emotions have been interfering with daily living or you feel that you just can't cope, you should speak with a mental health professional. Therapists can educate people about their responses to stress and help them find constructive ways of dealing with the emotional impact. In some cases medication may be used to relieve some of the symptoms.
TeenHealthFX would like to share with you some information that may help you cope during this very difficult and unsettling time.
Traumatic events affect each person differently. Shock and denial are typical normal responses to terrorism, disasters and other kinds of trauma, especially shortly after the event. With shock there is a strong change of your emotional state that may leave you feeling stunned or confused. Denial involves not being able to acknowledge that something stressful has happened or not comprehending the severity of the event. The person may feel numb or disconnected from life.
Once the shock subsides and reality sets in, reactions can vary from person to person. Even when the event is over, you may experience immediately or later, some strong emotional and physical reactions. It is very common and normal for people to have strong reactions after they have experienced a tragic event. Reactions may appear immediately after the episode or within a few hours or days. In some cases, weeks or months can pass before the reaction appears. The reaction can last days, weeks, months and occasionally longer depending on the severity of the tragic event.
Here is a list of some common reactions. It is important to realize that these are normal reactions to abnormal events:
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Mental Reactions:
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Physical Reactions:
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Emotional Reactions:
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Behavioral Reactions:
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Reactions can change over time. Some people who have suffered trauma are energized initially by the event to help them cope and later become discouraged or depressed.
According to the American Psychological Association there are a number of steps you can take to help strengthen your emotional well-being and a sense of control following a terrorist act, a disaster or other traumatic experience, including the following:
- Give yourself time to heal. Anticipate that it will be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself time to mourn the losses you are feeling. Try to be patient with the changes in your emotional state.
- Ask support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. Keep in mind that your typical support system may be weakened if those who are close to you also have witnessed or experienced the trauma.
- Communicate your experience in whatever way feels comfortable to you, such as by talking with family, a close friend or keeping a diary.
- Find out about local support groups for people who are dealing with the tragedy.
- Try to find a group led by appropriately trained and experienced professionals. Group discussions can help people realize that other individuals in the same circumstances often have similar reactions and emotions
- Engage in healthy behaviors that enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience on going difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. Take time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing other enjoyable activities.
- Avoid major life decisions if possible since these activities tend to be highly stressful.
Again, if you are feeling overwhelmed and having trouble with your day-to-day functioning, then you should speak with a professional counselor or therapist to help you get through these turbulent times.
If you live in northern New Jersey and would like help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
A comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggests that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depressive and anxiety disorders.
