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PTSD
Life seemed so secure and comfortable
until the catastrophic events of September 11th
unfolded and our world fell apart It has been almost three
weeks since the deadly attacks on America and each one of us
is suffering in one form or another. Most of us were
witnessing these horrific images as they were happening or
we saw it repeatedly though out the week on television or in
the press. Because of this, it is not uncommon to see
citizens in this country suffering both physically and
mentally. We all feel the sense of helplessness, shock,
stress and even disbelief. Many of us find ourselves having
nightmares or trouble sleeping--- including children. It is
important to recognize that these are all normal reactions
to such a traumatic event.
If you know of a friend or relative
that may be greatly affected by this event---acting
seriously depressed, they should seek out the medical advice
of a physician.
Recognize your own feelings of anger
and resentment. Talk them out with family and friends or any
caring person that is willing to listen.
If you are having difficulty getting a
good night’s sleep, you should avoid stimulants such as
caffeine and nicotine (if at all possible) as these will
only aggravate your sleep pattern.
Avoid alcohol, get on a good diet and
try to exercise daily. This is more than just the simple
rhetoric of a physician preaching a healthy life style. You
will actually find yourself getting a better night sleep and
having more energy during the day.
You should monitor your child’s viewing
of this event or other scary or violent shows, especially
before bedtime. Nightmares in children are inevitable so it
is a good idea for you to be near their bedroom should they
cry out during the night. It is not necessary to wake them
up if they are still asleep but be prepared to comfort them
and reassure them that they are safe.
If you have persistent frightening
thoughts and memories of this ordeal or feel emotionally
frozen, you might be suffering from a condition known as
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD was once referred to as “shell
shock” or “battle fatigue” but it can result from any number
of traumatic incidents such as the ones we witnessed several
weeks ago. Some people with PTSD can relive the trauma in
the form of nightmares and they may feel depressed, detached
or hyper vigilant. They may lose interest in the things they
used to enjoy and seeing things that remind them of the
incident may be very distressing. PTSD can occur at any
age, including children.
If your symptoms last for more than a
month or they reoccur over the next several months, you
might be suffering from PTSD. You should visit with your
physician to gain a better understanding of what you might
be going through. Your physician may recommend counseling,
medications--- or both. Our goal is to relieve your
suffering and give you the outlook for a happier tomorrow.
Dr. Richard Harding (President of the American Psychiatric
Association) recently made a statement published in the
Rapid City Journal. “Know that the tragedy will pass;
buildings will be repaired and rebuilt: life will go on, and
our nation will remain strong. But as with a death in the
family, life will never be quite the same.”Content
of articles can only be used with writer attribution to Dr.
Kevin Weiland.
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