One of the difficulties of dealing with the effects of the terrorist attacks on September 11th are that there are so many things to think about at one time: What can we do to help? Will it happen again? How should we respond personally, socially and politically? I want to briefly offer a way to conceptualize your feelings that may be helpful. Though I realize this crisis is not just an internal experience without social or political impact, as a psychologist, I will start from the inside and go out.

One who is subject to a serious traumatic event, commonly experiences an acute stress reaction that may last several days or weeks. It is understandable that those directly present at the terrorist sites are experiencing an emotional aftermath. What may be less understood is that all of us who witnessed the events of that day are to a greater or lesser extent having an acute stress reaction. How much of a stress reaction one has is influenced by how much stress one was under prior to the incident and whether one had experienced significant trauma in the past that may have been re-triggered by the terrorism. It may be reassuring to know that a period of overwhelming emotions are common after such an incident and that in most cases they pass.

The acute stress reaction is akin to grief in that there is usually a gradual process of return to normalcy, but two things make a distinction; acute stress is more likely when the incident is sudden, unexpected and when there is an overwhelming assault to one's senses.

Narrowly defined, a traumatic event is when one experiences or is threatened with death, serious injury to self or others. When such an event is accompanied with intense fear, helplessness or horror we have the makings of an acute stress reaction that linger past the day of the event. Normally we distinguish between those who are actually there and those who witness or hear about the event from some distance. For example, if you hear of a close friend killed in a car accident you respond with shock and grief, but if you were actually in the car when you friend was killed generally the traumatic experience is more overwhelming.

It seems to me that the recent terrorist events blur the distinction. The nation watched as the second plane slammed into the tower and as each tower collapsed. Such overwhelming images, repeated over and over by the media, may bring some of us beyond responses of alarm, fear and anger to deeper, more intense emotions associated with acute stress.

For those who are having trouble getting beyond the overwhelming emotions, I urge you to take care of yourself. I have heard many say that they have realized how minor their issues are compared to the suffering of those directly involved in the terrorism. At times this is said with a hint of guilt or shame which suggests that there may be a subtle or not so subtle internal voice saying, "It is selfish to focus on your own problems at a time like this." Though it is true that the psychological and spiritual challenge is ultimately to come out of ourselves and be there for others, we are all starting at different places. Those who were already struggling with anxiety or depression may experience a setback. Those who have recovered from past trauma may have an old wound reopened for a while. This wound may require some more work to process it and re-heal.

In conclusion, there are social, civic and political issues that we must all respond to in a time of national crisis. These issues go beyond our subjective feelings. But, it is never wise to ignore our own psychology. We serve our community and ourselves better when we make an honest appraisal of our emotional life as opposed to denying it or telling ourselves we should not feel a certain way. We have a long journey ahead. It is wise to be patient in accepting and responding to our own emotional pain, which in the end is the best way to prepare us for our part of the journey.