Trauma takes many forms and is processed in different ways by different people.
So when helping friends, family, and loved ones to cope with the after-effects of tragedy, empathy is all-important.
Two decades on from 9/11, the traumatic impact of the terrorist attacks still looms large over the lives of many survivors.
There is also the collective grief felt by the nation and the world, which can manifest itself in various ways from person to person.
If you need to provide comfort to anyone who is dealing with the enduring trauma of 9/11, but you don’t know how to go about it, here are some tips to help you both
Be aware of the signs of physical trauma
Before considering the emotional trauma that lingers long after events such as this, it is primarily important to look out for signals of illness that could have originated from the September 11 atrocities.
Those who were in the immediate area of the Twin Towers when they collapsed may have inhaled toxic particles spewed out from the scene of the destruction.
20 years later, this is causing various respiratory complications, including cancers, so if you spot symptoms such as a recurring cough or breathing difficulties, then working with the likes of Hansen & Rosasco caring attorneys could help the sufferer make a claim.
Talk through their feelings to find out more
Bottling up your emotions is a bad idea, and can hamper any progress you make when working through the traumas you have suffered.
This is particularly important where 9/11 is concerned, since a long time has passed following the attacks, and in most cases the intense emotional responses stimulated by this event should have dissipated.
If an individual is still having their lives disrupted by the emotional effects, then they should be encouraged to seek additional, professional support.
And sometimes the only way to work out if this is necessary is to get them to talk about it. If you are close to someone who you believe may be in this position, it is advisable to take the initiative if you want to help.
Be prepared for mood swings
Reliving traumatic events in your mind is normal when the memories of them are triggered, and the 20th anniversary of 9/11 is an especially acute example of this.
Psychologists expect that people going through a revival of trauma in this way will experience erratic and unpredictable changes in their mood, often in short periods of time.
As someone who is providing support, you need to know that these sudden shifts are likely, and be caring and compassionate when they come, rather than expressing annoyance if a loved one is on an emotional rollercoaster that results in uncharacteristic behaviour.
Learn about support groups & survivor communities
If your connection to 9/11 is less intense than the person you are supporting, then you may not be in the best position to empathize with their experiences and ease their trauma.
Thankfully there are ample support groups and initiatives set up by those who were directly impacted by the events of that day, and it can be useful to encourage your loved one to explore these communities themselves.
Step back from social media
Lastly, one of the best ways to minimize the strain of triggering events like anniversaries of trauma is to disengage from social media and news outlets.
If the person is already being put through the wringer by their own emotions as a significant date approaches, then there is no point in compounding this with a constant barrage of messages and images that link to this.