| back to the articles' index page from www.sextreatment.com MEDIA PERSONNEL AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DISASTER Dorothy C. Hayden, LCSW 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.
Dorothy Dorothy Hayden, MBA, LCSW, received her masters degree in clinical social work from New York University and has received advanced clinical training at the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in New York City. E-mail:dhayden@nyc.rr.com. Dorothy Hayden, LCSW New York, NY www.sextreatment.com back to the articles' index page You may print and photo copy the above article as many times you want to. You are not allowed to modify this article, |