[Sca-cooks] Fwd: FW: Coping with national trauma (OT, OOP)

[Dana Huffman]

Although this violates several of the posting guidelines, I
thought it might be as useful to other list members as it
was to me.  Apologies to those who have already seen/been
told this information, and thanks to Papa Gunthar for
letting me post it.  It comes out of the counselling center
of a local community college.

Wishes of peace to all, and hopes for swift recovery from
injuries and grief (but not from the sense of solidarity
and unity that has come out of it; I hope we can hang onto
that).

Dana/Ximena

(posted with permission)
...
> Subject:	Coping with national trauma
>
> Dear Seattle Community Colleges,
> Attached is information, from the Counseling Center at
> North [Seattle
> Community College], on how to understand and manage
> reactions we may be
> having to today's national events. We hope this
> information can be helpful
> to you and your family members.
>  Lydia Minatoya
>  Jerry Schneider
>
> Coping with Unexpected National Trauma
>  NSCC Counseling Center
>  9/11/01
>
>
> Because of their degree of violence and complete
> unexpectedness, the attacks
> on the World Trade Center and Pentagon may have left you
> with a number of
> unsettling reactions.   These reactions are shared by
> people undergoing
> sudden trauma (from natural disaster, crime, accidents,
> acts of war, etc.)
> and are normal ways of trying to deal with abnormal
> situations. During the
> next few days and weeks, you may experience some of these
> reactions. They
> will vary in intensity and duration with each individual.
> Though your
> thoughts, feelings, and responses may be unsettling, it
> is important to
> recognize them as natural and human.  You may not be able
> to prevent these
> reactions but there are ways to help yourself and others.
>
> Common Thoughts:
>   *Preoccupation with the event/difficulty thinking about
> other things.
> This is our way of trying to absorb the enormity of the
> event, little by
> little, at a pace we can handle.
>   *Thinking of the event over and over, being riveted to
> television, radio,
> and web reports. This is our way of trying to
> re-establish some sense of
> understanding and control.
>   *Trouble remembering or concentrating.  Our
> intellectual and emotional
> energies are focused on dealing with the shock.
>   *Guilt.  We all cope in different ways.  If you use
> humor to cope, don't
> feel guilty for not being "appropriately sober" in all
> your responses.  If
> you use activity to cope, don't feel guilty for not
> wanting to spend every
> moment trying to listen the news.  If you use keeping up
> with the news to
> cope, don't feel guilty for being "inappropriately
> morbid."  Each response
> is understandable and helps us in different ways.
>
> Common Feelings:
>   *Anxiety and fear
>   *Numbness, withdrawal
>   *Sadness
>   *Distrust
>   *Anger
>   *Desire for revenge
>   *Feelings of helplessness
>
> Common Behaviors:
>   *Wanting to spend time talking and being with other
>   *Feeling protective of loved ones
>   *Sleep disturbances
>
> Ways to Help Yourself and Others Cope
>
>   *Talk with people.   This helps us feel less isolated
> and anxious. This
> also helps us "reality check" our reactions, making us
> realize our feelings
> are normal.  It also helps to bring back to reasonable
> parameters feelings
> of vengeance or fear we may be experiencing.
>   *Give yourself permission to be distracted.
>   *Be kind toward others and tolerant of ways in which
> their coping needs
> may differ from yours.
>   *Avoid real and symbolic violence.  If you are feeling
> overwhelmed by the
> television images of the Trade Center collapsing, listen
> to the radio. Or
> avoid news sources altogether for awhile. Periodically,
> you can ask others
> if there is any significant new information you should
> know. Avoid
> entertainment with violent themes or images.
>   *Structure your time. Keep your life as normal as
> possible.
>   *Help your children understand in ways that are not
> overwhelming. For
> example, young children  might need breaks from the
> television imagery.  You
> might reassure children that it is okay for them to not
> know what to do.
> Instead, there are responsible and competent adults who
> are handling this by
> each doing their specialized jobs. Emergency crews are
> helping the victims
> and their families, investigators are working to identify
> who is
> responsible, safety personnel are working to prevent
> other incidents.
>   *Take care of yourself physically.  Eat nourishing
> food, try to get enough
> sleep, do mild exercise . Don't demand that your body
> perform at high
> levels.   Now may not be the time to adhere to a rigorous
> new workout, an
> austere diet, or a taxing workday.
>   *Spend time with people you enjoy, doing things you
> enjoy.
>   *Engage in activities that reaffirm your sense of
> yourself and others as members of a caring community.
>
>
>
>
>  2001/lym
>


__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/