Coping With The July 7, 2005 London Terrorist Attacks Suggestions For 9/11 Families
By Dr. Robin F. Goodman, VOICES Director of Family Programs
Across the United States, people awoke to the tragic news of the attack on the London public transportation system. Once again the media was filled with pictures and reports of individuals in the aftermath of an attack on innocent people. For those who experienced the tragic events of September 11th, this latest attack in London can be particularly upsetting.
It would not be unusual for adults and children to have certain reactions – their own personal aftershocks - to the terrorist attacks in London. Some have been doing well and are surprised by new distress whereas others may find that old feelings are reawakened. Reactions will vary according to the age of the person and 9/11 experience and are to be expected rather than a sign of weakness. Individuals may find themselves:
Feeling empathy for those in London
Reexperiencing thoughts, feelings, and memories related to 9/11 or other pervious traumas
Feeling life is unpredictable
Worried about personal safety or the safety of others
Wishing to be close to loved ones
Having increased arousal, feeling jumpy, or more alert to particular reminders of tastes, sights, smells, and sounds
Having new physical symptoms or a return of old aches, pains or medical problems
Feeling out of sorts and having difficulty focusing on work or tasks
Having disrupted sleeping or eating
Being more sad, upset, or fatigued
Feeling distant or alone
Being more irritable or moody
Angry at those who caused the attacks and renewed anger at those responsible for 9/11
Having a desire to help
The following are some suggestions for how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings:
For adults:
Limit viewing of news
Give yourself permission to be more upset than usual and know it is expected
Access friends and family members for support
Have some structure to your day
Keep in mind what has been helpful in the past and engage in those activities now, such as taking walks, listening to music, seeking spiritual comfort
Focus on things in your world that are within your control however small
Realize there is a ebb and flow to events and feelings and look towards a calmer time
Be prepared and alert to any necessary changes in travel plans
Monitor the tendency to jump to conclusions, avoid reacting to unsubstantiated rumors
Be realistic about what you can do to help others
Share your thoughts with others via bulletin boards such as the one at Voices www.voicesofsept11.org/bbs.php
Go to reliable sources to send financial support
For those caring for children:
Most children will go on with their day to day life yet others may be more sensitive to the latest news
Help them keep to their usual routine and activities
Keep in mind that children hear more than adults think and they can easily misinterpret information
Expect children to ask the same questions repeatedly or to come and go with new questions
Keep in mind that younger children are most concerned with people and places in their immediate world whereas older children are more sensitive to the larger issues
Caregivers may over or underestimate their children's reactions
Avoid television viewing for the very young, limit viewing by older children or watch with them
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