See What HealthDay Can Do For You
Contact Us

Helping Kids Cope With 9/11 -- All Over Again

Children who have suffered other traumas are vulnerable

MONDAY, Sept. 9, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Children traumatized by the events of September 11 will probably face increasing dread and anxiety as the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches, child psychologists say.

Taking care of these children will require parents, teachers, friends and loved ones to perform a difficult balancing act. They'll have to acknowledge chaos while maintaining order, and be strong while facing their own weaknesses. They also will have to understand that the hard times that have tested them have made them more capable of withstanding trauma than the children who were raised in the peace and security of the 1990s.

Dr. William Beardslee, psychiatrist-in-chief for Children's Hospital Boston, says the "anniversary effect" will take hold as the media replay the images of 9/11 -- the World Trade Center towers crumbling, the Pentagon burning.

"It's important to remember [that] after September 11 there was enormous shock in the country as a whole," Beardslee says. "Many children saw those images, which were absolutely striking. I'm sure many children will be anxious, will have their fears reawakened."

Untold numbers of children suffered post-traumatic stress following the attacks, says Dr. Ricky Greenwald, director of the child trauma program at The Sidran Institute, a national non-profit group in Maryland that specializes in "traumatic stress education and advocacy." Greenwald has been training teachers and mental health professionals in New York City to help children there suffering from stress.

One study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found the impact of the attacks on New York City was so devastating to children living in Manhattan that nearly 25 percent of them received some sort of counseling almost immediately.

Greenwald says children most likely to suffer post-traumatic stress -- and most likely to feel dread at the anniversary -- are children who suffered through disturbing events, such as the death of a parent, before the attacks.

"Prior trauma or major loss gives us a wound, a sore spot where we might overreact," he says. "If something hits us on that sore spot before it's healed, it's really going to hurt."

Children traumatized by September 11 have suffered symptoms ranging from intrusive memories and nightmares to withdrawal or jumpiness, he says. Some children have become discouraged and depressed, while others have become angry or anxious.

Beardslee says these children have found it harder to put the disaster behind them, possibly because they were raised during a time of prosperity and don't know things will eventually be fine.

"We adults have both memories of times that have been tough and know our history as a country, where we have made it through difficult times," he says. "I don't think children have those memories, because the '90s were not a time like that. They were a time when there was an appearance of prosperity. The children haven't gone through a time when the country's mettle has been tested."

Adults make two mistakes in dealing with children who are worried about a tragedy, Greenwald says, and he's urging these mistakes not be made during the 9/11 anniversary.

The first is to focus all their attention on the attack -- explaining it, memorializing it, allowing it to distract from the daily routine.

"The message kids get is that this is so overwhelming that it affects everybody," Greenwald says. "Even the adults can't handle this."

The second is to ignore the event entirely, figuring they don't want to upset their children.

"The message kids get there is, 'Wow, this is so bad and scary that my parents can't deal with it.' Both extremes give kids the bad message that no one can help them," he says.

Adults must strike a balance, Greenwald says.

"What's really ideal is for adults to acknowledge that this is the anniversary, but you still have to do your homework, you still have to brush your teeth," Greenwald says. "When kids see that, that adults can acknowledge it but still go through the day, then the kids feel like the adults can handle it and maybe it's manageable.

"When you do that," he adds, "that's more powerful than saying, 'Do you want to talk about it.' That's demonstrating that you can handle it."

Greenwald says parents also need to understand they are suffering as well, and to take care of themselves so they can be there for their children.

"You should assess what feelings the anniversary's going to trigger, and have people you can go to for support," he says. "Just being a hero forever doesn't work after a while. We have to take care of ourselves, or we won't be able to come through for our kids."

The National Institute of Mental Health offers the following tips for parents and adults to help children cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event:

  • Explain the episode of violence or disaster as well as you are able.
  • Encourage them to express their feelings, and listen without passing judgment. Help younger children learn to use words that express their feelings. However, do not force discussion of the traumatic event.
  • Let them know it is normal to feel upset after something bad happens.
  • Allow them time to experience and talk about their feelings. But make sure there is a gradual return to routine at home.
  • If they are fearful, reassure them that you love them and will take care of them. Stay together as a family as much as possible.
  • If behavior at bedtime is a problem, give them extra time and reassurance before going to sleep. Let them sleep with a light on or in your room for a limited time if necessary.
  • Reassure them that the traumatic event was not their fault.
  • Do not criticize regressive behavior, or call it "babyish."
  • Allow them to cry or be sad. Don't expect them to be brave or tough.
  • Encourage them to feel in control. Let them make some decisions about meals, what to wear, etc.
  • Take care of yourself so you can take care of the children.

What To Do

For more on helping children cope with stress, visit North Carolina State University, Purdue University, or the Children's Aid Society.

SOURCES: William Beardslee, M.D., psychiatrist-in-chief, Children's Hospital Boston; Ricky Greenwald, M.D., director, child trauma program, The Sidran Institute, Towson, Md.
Consumer News

HealthDay

HealthDay is the world’s largest syndicator of health news and content, and providers of custom health/medical content.

Consumer Health News

A health news feed, reviewing the latest and most topical health stories.

Professional News

A news feed for Health Care Professionals (HCPs), reviewing latest medical research and approvals.