Students, staff and faculty may be experiencing psychological aspects of anxiety and fear as a result of the recent terror alerts. Help is available for students, faculty and staff at USM (see campus resources below).
As the Department of Homeland Security has raised the Terror Alert level to level orange and the nation seems poised on the brink of war, many on campus are feeling anxious. It’s natural and normal to experience high-level anxiety in these uncertain times. Here are some thoughts on terror threats and anxiety.
Many
are wondering what this means. After
September 11th, the federal government, working through Homeland
Security, created a five-level warning system to help Americans understand how
likely a terrorist attack might be and to help public safety departments across
the country to coordinate efforts. The
orange level is the second-highest level, which means that the federal
government is specifically concerned about terror events. To learn more about this warning system you
can visit http://www.DHS.gov.
The
increased level in the warning system does mean that the government is
specifically concerned about acts of terrorism.
The nature of terrorism is that terror groups can strike at any time in
any place. The nature of terrorism means
that we cannot say who is in specific danger at any time. This randomness is a psychological weapon
designed to generate fear among a large group of people. According to statistics, the likelihood that
you will be the victim of a terrorist act is really quite low.
Again,
terrorism is random and therefore it is hard to say that any specific area is
dangerous or safe. However, it is
important for you to know that administrators on campus are being proactive and
taking sensible steps to ensure campus safety.
You can help by being aware and cooperating with officials. Make sure you are familiar with any emergency
procedures that your campus has in place and also help administrators by being
aware of your surroundings and reporting anything that seems suspicious or out
of the ordinary. Campus officials are
trained to respond to a wide variety of scenarios and situations. Letting a campus official know about
something suspicious will ensure that the proper authorities will handle any
situation.
It is very normal to feel nervous and anxious these days. In addition to your regular stresses (school, work, relationships, etc.) you are hearing about terror alerts and possible war. Anxiety, stress and fear are natural human reactions that help the body and mind prepare for extreme situations. Prolonged anxiety can have negative effects on a person. While today’s headlines are frightening and disturbing, it’s important that you try to keep things in perspective. Allow your anxiety to direct you into making good and safe choices and it’s important to ensure that your anxiety does not overwhelm you.
When
Anxiety Overwhelms You
Occasionally, people find that their anxiety overwhelms them. When someone feels overwhelmed by anxiety it can lead to negative and destructive behaviors. Some sings that you are being overwhelmed include (but are not limited to):
~ A change in sleeping patterns. Either being unable to sleep or, finding yourself always sleeping.
~ Using substances to manage emotions. This includes alcohol, illegal drugs, food and even prescription medication. Craving a substance in order to manage your emotions can be a dangerous behavior.
~ Dramatic mood swings may also be an indicator of overwhelming anxiety.
~ Change in eating behaviors. Like sleep, you might find yourself at one extreme or the other. Either eating nothing, very little or eating large amounts of food.
~ Physical changes. If you find yourself sweating or you feel your heart racing, you may be overwhelmed by anxiety. Sometimes when we feel overly anxious we feel ill and feel like we require medical attention.
If you are feeling “out of sorts” it’s always a good idea to check with a health professional. A good rule of thumb is that a significant change in your behavior may be a sign that your anxiety is overwhelming you. If you find yourself making choices you might not normally make, or doing things you might not normally do, you may be reacting to your anxiety. This is a sign that you may need some help managing your anxiety.
Resources For Managing Your Anxiety
If you feel that anxiety is getting the best of you and having a negative effect on your well being you should do something about it. Standard stress reduction techniques are always a good idea. These include eating well, exercising and getting plenty of good rest. In general, paying attention to your body and responding to your needs are important. However, if you’re experiencing significant behavioral changes its also good to talk with someone about how you’re feeling. Of course, talking to friends is a good idea, but it is also important that you talk with a trained professional.
Looking Out For Your Friends
Sometimes when we are experiencing extreme stress and anxiety it is hard to see the negative behaviors we are inflicting upon ourselves. When this happens we rely on friends and family to help us recognize the situation. If you think one of your friends is having trouble managing his or her anxiety you should take steps to help. Of course, talking with them is a good idea; perhaps you can even share this article with them. However, it’s also a good idea to let a campus professional know about your friend. Campus professional can help you decide what’s in the best interest of your friend.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
FOR USM STUDENTS:
University Counseling Services – 780-4050 – 105 Payson Smith Hall (P)/110 Upton Hall (G)
University Health Services –
780-4211(
From the American Psychological Association
Terrorism threatens a society by instilling fear and helplessness in its citizens. It seeks to hold a society or government hostage by fear of destruction and harm.
When terrorist acts occur, people generally look for ways to cope with the acute stress and trauma. Terrorism evokes a fundamental fear of helplessness. The violent actions are random, unprovoked, and intentional, and often are targeted at defenseless citizens. Trying to cope with the irrational information that is beyond normal comprehension can set off a chain of psychological events culminating in feelings of fear, helplessness, vulnerability, and grief.
Xenophobia – fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners – can be heightened under a terrorist threat and can become a social and psychological danger. The fear generated by terrorism can be exacerbated by a population’s diversity if there is distrust between groups, categories and classification of citizens. People need to recognize that diversity in a population is often an opportunity for unity and strength. There are members of our diverse society who have experienced past terrorist incidents. The knowledge and experience they have gained from surviving and coping with these incidents can make them a valuable resource on how to cope and how to offer assistance to others.
Who Is Affected?
After a terrorist attack, many people are impacted. People who have experienced the trauma often fall into the following categories:
What You May
Experience Following a Terrorist Attack
People who have experienced or witnessed a terrorist attack may go into a state of acute stress reaction. You may feel one or all of these symptoms:
Coping With The Trauma
Tips For Helping Children Cope