Q: What can people do who have PTSD? What is the grieving cycle?

A: No doubt many people living in the affected areas of the U.S. will be experiencing PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, after the bombings on Sept. 11, 2001. Information from the National Institute on Mental Health on post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and a special fact sheet on helping children and adolescents cope with violence and disasters is offered here in light of the disaster.

The grieving cycle has been depicted basically as loss, shock, denial, confusion, anger, acceptance, commitment to resolution and positive resolution. In considering peoples' responses to the recent tragedy in NYC and Washington DC, it is helpful to acknowledge the need to go through a healing cycle that takes time. Reasoned responses will hopefully follow the anger and outrage most people have been experiencing.

Click here to read a letter from the Dalai Lama to Pres. Bush.

Please send your questions and/or answers for either teachers or students to Gerry Lewin for possible posting.