Coping With a PTSD Event
blog 28
On January 6, 2021 I watched in horror the attack on the United States Capitol. Over the subsequent weeks it has been a struggle to find perspective and resolution for my intense anger. In time I felt some degree of calmness return. A month later viewing the videos being presented at the current impeachment trial of the former president, I became acutely aware that I still retain intense unresolved anger.
Intense emotional events are the cornerstones that produce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). We all have been made aware of how PTSD is a common issue with returning war veterans. In my book, “The Two Roads Of Life”, I noted that PTSD can also be a reaction following events such as natural disasters, car accidents, and even job and economic loss.
Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include anger and rage, social withdrawal, depression, intense anxiety, sleep disorder, drug and alcohol abuse and physical illness. In addition there can be a complete breakdown in family and personal relationships. Most people find coping with such intense emotions an extremely difficult task. The most common psychological reaction is to suppress those emotions. We would like to bury them. Our mind will construct an emotional lockbox with reinforced emotional walls designed to contain these intense feelings from our consciousness. As time goes on more and more emotional energy goes into containment rather than be available for more purposeful current events. We battle ourselves. The boxed up emotions want to be released but our terror fights to keep the containment walls up.
The effects of PTSD can last for years long after the initial event. Let's take a look at the effects from the horrific 9/11 terrorist attack. I believe most people would agree that the attack was clearly a particularly intense emotional event. We will all remember forever where we were that frightening morning. During the months and years after the attack my work involved helping others to find ways to make sense of what happened and find peace.
At the time I lived in a suburban community on Long Island just 35 miles from ground zero, the World Trade Center. Over the years I treated many survivors and first responders. In time I even treated their children. I spoke with friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. I also spent considerable time travelling around the country. I had an interesting observation. Many people possessed an increased sense of being on guard. They had become hypervigilant. Any news cast that made reference to terrorist attacks resulted in an immediate spike in anxiety. The nearer a person lived to ground zero the more intensive and prolonged were their reactions.
Living in a state of hypervigilance can have a profound impact on our lives. Individuals and families suffer. The anxiety that parents felt was also transferred to their children even to those born after 9/11. Children of survivors syndrome has been documented throughout history, ie., children of Holocaust survivors.
It has been 20 years since 9/11 and we still experience the impact. As a country our level of trust in each other has wavered. Self centered politicians have exploited our fears. Prejudice and xenophobia has increased ie., “Muslim Ban” and “Build The Wall”. Flying on an airplane now requires greater security preparations. Attending a sports or music venue requires that our personal items be checked as we are scanned for a weapon. We are reminded frequently to stay on guard with slogans such as “if you see something say something”. Having the burden of worrying only diminishes our enjoyment of what should be a fun relaxing event. Security cameras watch us continuously as we go about our daily activities. Wars in the middle east are still on going. Sadly, first responders are still dying from diseases resulting from their efforts to help.
Psychological intervention is essential. It is important to unlock that emotional box. Talk, talk and continuous talk is the path. People need support to know that it is safe to talk about the events. Constructive expression can be found through writing, singing, acting, painting and connecting to social support organizations. There can be no limit to conversation. It is a lifetime path. It will be important to stay conscious of feelings. When this exposed nerve is activated we need to be comfortable engaging our support systems. As an example, people in treatment for alcoholism are taught how to identify that vulnerable moment and seek out an AA support group no matter where they are located. They know that staying sober requires dialogue not suppression.
I now live in Washington DC not far from the Capitol. January 6, 2021 will always be a date of great significance. The emotions of that day were indeed very intense. There will be PTSD. As a country and as individuals, dialogue must continue. The events of that day can not be swept under the rug. It is shocking and horrifying. It is real, not a bad dream or a hoax. Articles and books need to be written, as well as documentaries, movies and artful expressions created. Talk with family and friends. Join emotional support groups. With permission to constructively express our outrage we can prevent these emotions from being placed in an emotional lock box only to be acted out in destructive ways.
On a very personal level the sight of white supremacists wearing Camp Auschwitz t-shirts storming the capitol is particularly disturbing. My parents are Holocaust survivors. I am a first generation child of a survivor. My life was adversely impacted by my parent’s horrific experiences. I lost so many family members amongst the 6 million killed by the Nazis. Those chanting racist insurrectionists truly frightened me. It brought forth a flood of deeply rooted memories and feelings. Writing this blog is part of my coping strategy. I am working to keep a positive perspective on life.
In our lifetime we retain all experiences both good and bad. A person can not erase a bad memory. The task is to take lessons from those events and keep learning on the Experience Road of Life. As we go forward let us grow and find ways to make improvements that bring us together. Ignoring the events of January 6, 2021 will doom us to become divisive and emotionally volatile. The import of that day will be with us forever. Let it become a symbol that leads the way for a better future.
Dr. Mike
PS: Now available on Amazon “ The Two Roads of Life: Navigating Yourself and Family to Health and Contentment”. Released by PathBinder Publishing
