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Managing Anxiety in the Aftermath of the Tech Tragedy

In an era of instant media broadcast to millions, everyone who sees or hears about a tragedy like Virginia Tech is impacted. Most people experience some related anxiety and stress that will fade with time, but some experience feelings that may not go away without help. If help is needed, help is available.

Learning to recognize and reduce anxiety in times of crisis will help families and communities cope following tragedies and critical incidents like the recent senseless deaths at Virginia Tech.

“Mass tragedies affect us in many ways: physically, emotionally and mentally,” said Frontier Health Family Partner Brenda S. Sprinkle, M.Ed. “They can make people feel angry, enraged, confused, sad, or even guilty. When those feelings don’t go away over a few weeks, or when they seem to get worse, it may be appropriate to seek help for yourself or for someone who is experiencing these difficulties.”

Children can be affected differently. “When younger children are exposed to massive amounts of news coverage about such tragedies, they get scared the same things will happen to them or in their schools, said Tim Perry, Frontier Health Coordinator Children & Youth Outpatient Services for Bristol and Johnson County. “It is very important for parents to watch their children for signs of heightened anxiety and fears, and then reassure them they are safe and protected. When these fears persist, then seeking additional help from professionals would be appropriate.”

To reduce anxiety after a tragedy, consider taking these steps. Get in touch with how you are feeling. Check on how your family and loved one.  If you think there may be a problem, get advice from someone trained to recognize signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Pay special attention to children’s needs and talk with them in a calm, supportive way about their fears. Don’t neglect or let anyone you know neglect his or her other health care needs at this time.

If the following signs appear but do not fade over time, seek counseling.

You should get immediate help from a trained mental health professional if you or a loved one is experiencing one or more of these problems: inability to return to normal routine; feeling extremely helpless; having thoughts of hurting one’s self or others; using alcohol and drugs excessively; thinking about or being abusive or violent; or having noticeable symptoms of mental illness.

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