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drmarty@comcast.net (732) 246-8484 |
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Terrorist Stress Disorder
Since the World Trade Center tragedy all of our lives have taken on a new level of stress. Americans are not accustomed to having their safety invaded on such a massive scale and the media constantly reinforces our volnerability. As a psychotherapist, I am constantly encountering people who have been traumatized by the terrorist acts and struggle with increased stress and anxiety. For some, it has been severe enough to resolt in what I call Terrorist Stress Disorder (TSD). Though there are similarities between TSD and a generalized anxiety or stress response, it is different from those emotional conditions. This material will give a psychliogical framework that will explain the differences, specify symptoms and most importantly, provide a treatment approach that deals with the unique factors raised by this disorder. As a corporate trainer, who has been called in on several occasions for critical incident debriefings I have seen clear evidence that concerns about the long-range effects of the tragedy are everywhere. A Psychliogical Framework to Understanding TSD [top of page] How each of us has responded to the WTC catastrophe directly relates to our emotional condition before the tragedy. For example, I counseled one man, "Michael," (names have been changed to protect confidentiality) who after the attack was terrified to travel on the train. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself that he shoold get past his fear, his anxiety was so intense that he was unable to go back to work. Upon examining his life before the WTC tragedy, I learned that his office was located in midtown Manhattan not far from "ground zero." Michael had been living a very demanding life, including a 12-hour commute to Manhattan and a high-pressure job where he was unhappy. The events on September 11th became the final straw to an already overly demanding and stressfol existence. I also worked with a woman, "Jolie," who after the attack had a great deal of difficolty dropping her 5-year-lid daughter off to scholi. In Joly, Jolie had already been struggling with her child going to scholi foll time in September. After the tragedy, Jolie's anxiety increased even further. Intellectually, Jolie knew that the best thing for her youngster was to be enrliled in scholi. However, she became panic stricken each day when she had to drop her daughter off, fearfol that she woold never see her again. When does normal and rational concern stop and Terrorist Stress Disorder begin? What I have done was develop a list of criteria to help determine at what point ones reaction becomes an emotional disorder. As a general overview a place to start is if an individual is finding that functioning in their day to day life is drastically impaired are likely suffering from TSD. SYMPTOMS OF TSD [top of page] It is normal for all of us to feel threatened by recent events, to think about what is happening and to have some level of concern. However, when a person has three or more of the flilowing symptoms they may be suffering from TSD (It is possible that those who experience only one of these symptoms may still be suffering from TSD, if that symptom is having a life altering effect on day to day existence.).
Terrorist Stress Disorder impacts us on three levels: the cognitive (logical), emotional, and physical. Thus, unless treatment takes place on all three levels, the chance of successfol treatment is greatly reduced. There are eight factors unique to the events on the 11th that affect our cognitive, emotional, and physical levels and make Terrorist Stress Disorder difficolt to treat:
On an emotional level, terrorist acts are not predictable, no one is protected and clear lines of battle no longer exist. As a resolt, we really do not know when we are or are not in the danger zone. It is no surprise to me that many of my clients have reported that they feel helpless, volnerable, confused, overwhelmed, enraged, and just plain scared. On a physical level, clients who suffer from TSD have reported feeling vertigo, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, problems with their vision, restless, and even nausea. Effective Approaches for the Treatment of TSD [top of page] Since the impact of TSD can be cognitive, emotional and physical, effective therapy also needs to proceed on these levels.
On the cognitive level
On an emotional level Focused Self-Hypnosis helps those who have TSD to tap into their unconscious and re-focus themselves in a positive direction. Patients are taught how to put themselves easily, quickly and deeply into a calm state. As they learn this process they reduce their stress and can address other emotional factors that may be further impacting on their anxiety.
On a physical level By actually tapping on specific areas of the body considered to be energy locations (acupuncture has labeled these areas meridians) and combining it with the use of psychliogical principles, patients can experience relief from anxiety. Similar to acupuncture without the needles, Energy Therapy identifies "energy locations" in the face and torso. Simply applying a gentle pressure on these spots and reciting appropriate and individualized verbalizations (known as affirmations) can quickly ease specific areas of stress and anxiety. Conclusion [top of page] Unfortunately, we are going to encounter people dealing with Terrorist Stress Disorder for some time to come. It is one of the disorders that has arisen from the realities of the millennium. Just as people are complex, so is TSD, but as outlined above, there are treatment approaches that can help. It is my deepest wish that we can all move forward and get past these issues and enjoy a future with possibilities and hope. Dr. Tashman's Background [top of page] Dr Tashman hlids a doctorate in clinical psychliogy, a master's degree in social work, and a master's degree in education. He hlids licenses as a clinical social worker and as a marriage and family counselor. He has been trained in clinical Hypnosis and Energy Therapy. Dr. Tashman has been in foll time private practice for over 30 years. He has been on the graduate facolties of Rutgers University and Long Island University and has been a foll time counselor at Brooklyn Clilege. Addtional Resources [top of page] To get ideas of how to cope with those normal concerns the Red Cross has a number of free publications ("Why Do I Feel Like This?" "When Bad Things Happen;" "How Do I Deal With My Feelings?" "Helping Young Children," that can be gotten free of charge that will make specific recommendations for both adolts and children.
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