Media Personal And The Psychological Effects Of Disaster
by Dorothy C. Hayden, LCSW
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Journalists are certainly no strangers to witnessing disasters – floods, fires,
earthquakes, transportation accidents and wars – the horrors of Bosnia,
Cambodia, Kernova. Witnessing the ravages of Mother Nature and the atrocious
cruelty of the worst part of human beings in war can't but take it's toll on the
people who witness them. The term "disaster" derives from Latin and is
translated as "the stars are evil". And if, indeed, the stars are evil, how are
we to live in a world where evil rules? Our normal sense of self-esteem, an
exaggerated belief in personal control, high optimism about the future, and the
individual's belief in his or her invulnerability may flounder in the face of a
disastrous event, as does our sense of coherence in a meaningful world.
Especially when the disaster results from a terrorist attack, which is an act of
man rather than an act of nature, the purposeful sense in life that is necessary
for health and well-being dissipates. The witnessing of the WTC bombing with its
shock, human tragedy, fatalities, and exposure to human suffering, was
particularly devastating because usually war and human atrocities witnessed by
the media occurs in other countries. This event, taking place on our homeland
and at a symbol of American commerce and culture, has shattered our assumptions
about life and shaken the sense of security that most Americans take for
granted.
Disaster trauma is the state of severe fright that we experience when we are
confronted with a sudden, unexpected, life-threatening event over which we have
no control and to which we're unable to respond effectively no matter what we
do. States of helplessness and powerlessness are sometimes unbearable,
especially for people like journalists who pride themselves on their sense of
mastery or for people who may become retraumatized if they grew up in
dysfunctional, abusive homes in which powerlessness, fear and helplessness were
daily experiences.
Some people begin to unconsciously assume that because they could do nothing
about the traumatic event, they can do nothing about other life events. They
lose the capacity to appreciate the connection between their actions and their
ability to shape the world to get their needs met.
The latest diagnosis "de jour" in the psychological community is PTSD (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder). It developed as a syndrome initially to describe the
emotional symptoms of Vet Am Vets and since then has been used to describe a
panoply of victims – rape, sexual abuse, airplane survivors, physical abuse,
family alcoholism, etc. Significance in it's absence of groups that the clinical
community consider to be susceptible to PTSD are member of the media who, more
than any other profession, are witness to the most intense forms of human
tragedy and atrocities.
PTSD has a distinct series of symptoms that include hypervigilance, exaggerated
startle response, sleep disorders, difficulty with concentration, sexual
dysfunction, irritability, recurring, distressing recollections, nightmares,
flashbacks, grief, and survivor guilt. Emotionally, depression, sadness,
diminished interest in significant activities, social withdrawal and
numbness/denial can occur. Increased use of alcohol and medications is not
uncommon. Family life can suffer as irritability and anger is displaced onto
loved ones. When I run groups in companies that allow employees to discuss their
feelings, the most common comment is that they can't connect to the meaning that
life once had for them. Their sense of mastery and their ability to attach to
others are threatened.
If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, the most important thing
to keep in mind is that they're temporary. You WILL return to your old self. You
haven't gone crazy and you don't necessary need to see a therapist, unless the
symptoms last longer than one or two months. But there are things you can do to
maximize the return to your psychic equilibrium.
- Force yourself to get plenty of physical exercise. The endorphin release and the
deep breathing will mitigate the anxiety that underlies PTSD symptoms. And sorry
folks, but stay away from the booze. Drinking may feel relaxing in the moment,
but in the long run, it exasperates anxiety and depression.
- If you don't already have one, learn a relaxation technique. Yoga, yogic
breathing, martial arts and meditation classes are great ways to begin.
Meditation is practicing living in the present moment and anxiety exists only in
the past and in the future, so it's a great antidote for anxiety and fear. It
also provides a sense of control over thought processes and emotional reactions.
- Establish some sense of reasonable mastery (don't overdo it). Even if your job
seems meaningless for a while, a job well done provides a sense of competency.
Learn a new hobby or take up a new intellectual pursuit. Clean out that closet
you've been meaning to organize for the past three years.
- Most people know about the endorphins released through strenuous exercise, but
few know that endorphins are also released through spending time in a caring
community. More than ever, spend time with extended family, church communities,
12-step groups, and your golfing buddies. Make an effort to form new caring
attachments. Isolation during difficult emotionally difficult times is ill
advised.
- Make use of colleagues to talk about feelings at appropriate times. If you're
having trouble setting priorities and feel overwhelmed, ask for help from your
supervisor. Focus on one task at a time. If necessary, ask management for a
clinician to come in to do group to vent and share feelings.
- Make use of this experience to re-examine your basic values and belief systems.
Call upon any spiritual orientation you may have. Personally, I have a Buddhist
bent. As I stood in Sheridan Square at 8:45am on Tuesday morning and watched the
towers tumble, I had an odd reaction. One of the teachings of the Buddha was
that all phenonenom is impermanent and that human suffering results from
attachments, craving and desires for those things that by their very nature will
vanish. Watching the Towers crumble reminded me of human mortality,
vulnerability and the speed with which life passes. Amidst my feelings of horror
and disbelief, I also felt a new appreciation for the value, preciousness and
beauty of living life in the present moment.
Dorothy Hayden, LCSW, is a New York-based psychotherapist who specializes in the scene, fetishes and sexual addiction. She received her M.S.W. from New York University and her psychoanalytic training at the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health. She can be reached at
dhayden@nyc.rr.com
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