Stress
Coping with Terrorism
Terrorism threatens our society by instilling fear and helplessness.
When terrorist acts occur, people look for ways to cope. The violent actions are random, unprovoked and intentional. Trying to cope with irrational behavior can be difficult and confusing. It is normal to have feelings of fear, helplessness, vulnerability, anger and grief.
We are all affected.
Some have a more intense response than others depending on their background and life experiences. People who have experienced trauma could fall into one or more of the following categories: 1) Survivors of past traumatic events; 2) People who have witnessed or were victims of the attack or have had family that were victims; 3) People who experience trauma from learning relatives or friends who were subjects of the violence, or from exposure to repetitive media accounts of the event
Recurring thoughts of the incident.
Becoming afraid of everything, not leaving the house or isolating yourself.
Stopping normalcy — not keeping to your schedule or daily routine.
Sense of loss.
Reluctance to express your feelings.
Guilt. Why did I survive? I should/can do something more…
Identify the feelings that you may be experiencing. Understand that your feelings are normal.
Talk to others about your fears. It’s ok to ask for help. EAP is a great resource!
Make the effort to maintain your usual routine.
Think positively. Realize that things will get better and be realistic about the time it takes to feel better.
Recognize that the nature of terrorist attacks create fear and uncertainty about the future. Don’t be preoccupied with things you cannot control.
Limit exposure to media coverage.
3 tips for helping children cope
- Encourage children to say how they feel about the event.
- Ask them what they have seen, heard or experienced.
- Know that it is possible for children to experience trauma from a terrorist attack.
It’s true that we may never be able to stop terrorist attacks 100%. That is why seeking help if you need it is so important! Best Care EAP will always be here to help. If you need us, call today. A professional counselor is available at no cost to you.
To schedule your confidential appointment, call (402) 354-8000 or (800) 801-4182, or send an email.