How are the children of this nation coping with such a tragic event as the collapse of the World Trade Center? All children are affected to some degree, not just those of victims. Children hear talk at school, see vivid images on television, and hear and see adults reacting to the tragedy. Here are some warning signs and symptoms:
Very young children may experience regressive toileting behavior, general fears, specific fears related to disaster, extended crying spells, thumb sucking, separation anxiety from loved ones (preschoolers), and nightmares.
Older kids may experience specific fears, anxiety, depression, withdrawal and isolation behavior, stomach complaints, lack of concentration, agitation, difficulty sleeping, and nightmares.
These are all normal behaviors that you would see shortly following disasters. Since there never has been a disaster of this magnitude, these symptoms might be exhibited at a slightly greater degree.
Those children who typically react more do so based on severity, duration, and proximity to the event. Both coping ability/skills and social support can be helpful in lessening the levels of distress following such events.
What can you do to help kids deal with trauma?
(1) Validate kids’ feeling and thoughts. Verify them-tell them their feelings are real.
(2) Normalize reactions. Tell them that their feelings are shared by many other kids.
(3) Provide verbal and physical support-more hugs and kisses, for example. Reassure kids that they are safe.
(4) Try and keep children in their routines-the time they eat, sleep, and do activities. “Turn the terrible into routine.”
(5) Serve as a good role model and coper. Even though you are concerned, be as cool and calm as possible. Kids will do what they see mom and dad do.
Most kids and adults do quite well after a relatively short period of time. There is a vast minority of individuals who may develop more severe problems and should seek out professional assistance. Those individual who continue to exhibit these symptoms for an extended period of time and find it difficult to function normally may be at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The three groups of symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are:
1. Persistent re-experiencing–recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of event. They might have frightening dreams related to the event. They may have feelings of it happening again-reliving the event. In kids you might see them engaging in repetitive play (acting out what they’ve seen and heard on TV) expressing aspects of trauma.
2. Avoidance symptoms–avoiding thoughts, feelings, conversation associated with trauma. They may want to avoid people, places, and things that remind them of trauma.
3. Arousal symptoms–difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, concentration problems, hypervigilance (always on the lookout for danger).
If these symptoms persist for more than one month and lead to significant distress or impairment in one’s social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, then people have developed the disorder. Half the cases recover totally in three months, with many others having symptoms that persist for more than a year.
You should seek out a mental health professional or a school counselor. People should also seek out support groups and other sources of assistance.
What can firefighters do, who are so devastated from losing such a great number of brothers and sisters? Definitely talk to others, and seek help from mental health professionals. Try to talk about your feelings and the incident. Know that you risk your lives to save the lives of others, and even though some perished, seek solace in the fact that you tried and gave it your very best to save them. Draw on support systems. At least talk about it-the bad, the good-and express your feelings.
For more information on where to seek help, contact one of the following Web sites:
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
(go into it a few pages for info on talking with parents and kids)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm.
Phases of Traumatic Stress Reactions in a Disaster, Effects of Traumatic
Stress In a Disaster Situation
Mental Health Intervention for Disasters, Self Care and Self-Help Following
Disasters
http://www.ncptsd.org/what_is_new.html.
NIMH resources
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outline/responseterrorism.cfm.
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
