Terrorism

Recent government warnings of the possibility of a new wave of terrorist attacks have raised the level of anxiety in this country. In the wake of September 11, 2001 and the Anthrax scare, Americans have become all too familiar with the emotional stress that terror creates. The apparent random nature of the terrorist act creates a sense of fear, vulnerability, and helplessness in many of us. This can also lead to an irrational fear of strangers or foreigners.

How can we deal with feelings of fear, vulnerability and helplessness? We at Penn Behavioral Health believe that you can address these issues in the following ways:

Prepare actively rather than passively:

One of the key components of terrorism is that it takes control away from us. We sit and wait for an outside force to act on us. It is better to be pro-active and prepare, even if the action is only symbolic. The act itself gives us a sense that we do have control. The Federal Government has implemented a new web site aimed at preparedness. The web address is www.ready.gov. The site stresses that we should do the following things:

  • Create a family plan in case of emergency.
  • Decide whether or not to evacuate in the event of an emergency.
  • Review emergency plans for schools, day care, and work place.
  • Determine how you would respond if you are in a moving vehicle during an attack.
  • Develop an emergency plan to follow if you are in a high-rise building.

Keep it normal:

Terrorism can disrupt the normal ebb and flow of life. It is important for us to remind ourselves that while terrorism is high profile, its real ability to strike deep is minimal. Therefore it should not have the power to disrupt our routines.

Do not become pre-occupied with the unfolding story:

While it is important to be informed, many people become obsessed with the incessant barrage of information from the twenty-four hour news media. Limit your exposure to a daily update. The odds are the situation will not unfold as rapidly as the networks would have you believe.

The American Psychological Association (APA) also suggests these coping strategies:

  • Identify the feeling that you are experiencing.
  • Understand that these feelings are a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.
  • Remember that you have overcome adversity and trauma in the past.
  • Talk to others about your fears. It's okay to ask for help.
  • Think positively. Realize that things will get better.

If you or a family member needs help dealing with these issues, give us a call at (888) 321-4433. While there are no easy answers to terrorism, our caring professionals can provide you with reassurance and practical assistance in a confidential and personal way. You can also reach us through our web site at www.pennbehavioralhealth.org.

As your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) we are available to assist you seven days a week, 24 hours a day.