First, talk about your feelings and allow others to express theirs. Talking helps, but may not be easy for everyone. Being willing to listen is one of the best things we can do for one another. Experience with trauma victims has shown than denying grief and bottling up emotions significantly interferes with recovery.

Remind yourself of your own resources-emotional, spiritual, economic and social. Remember that you have overcome adversity in the past: what did you do for yourself and others that helped? Share your own particular skills with others. Reach out to your social support networks-your church or synagogue, book club or your running partner-for a sounding board and support. People will find their own way to grieve. There are no 'shoulds' here.

Be good to yourself. It's important to take care of yourself, physically-get enough sleep, exercise and go easy on the alcohol and caffeine. Be gentle with your psychological self: expect some forgetfulness and concentration problems, even weepiness. Things will get better.

Get back to your regular routines. Going back to work, getting neglected housework done, even planning a night out are ways people may get back to former routines and begin to make a transition. Children particularly are helped by a return to the household routine; parents should enforce their normal rules about homework, piano practicing, bedtimes and so forth.

If you're still not feelign better, you may need to get some porfessional help. Grieving takes time. But anger, anxiety or depression that lasts for three or more-or an inability to function at home or on the job-may be signs of clinical depression or chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rescue and medical personnel at the crash sites, people who escaped from the World Trade Center or Pentagon, and those who witnessed the attacks at close range are most at risk for developing PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD include recurring images of the traumatic event, nightmares, tensions and anxiety, and a tendency to startle easily.

The symptoms may begin immediately or not surface for six months, a year, or even longer. People with PTSD tend to withdraw from the world, becoming disinterested in people and activities that were once important to them. They may try to cope by abusing alcohol, drugs or smoking. Guilt, depression, and sudden outbursts of aggressive behavior may also surface. Professional help may be needed for those with symptoms that persist.

Fortunately, experience with natural disasters and other terrorist events reveal that a relatively small proportion, about 10-25%, of those who experience such events go on to develop chronic PTSD. People often find a way to use natural supports such as family and friends. This is positive in the early phases after trauma. We should not insist that people seek help if they do not feel up to it, but make it easily available. We also need to be sensitive to the fact that each individual has his or her own timetable for recovery.

The challenge will be moving forward without suppressing the emotions that are apt to surface over the next months. Continuing to talk about feelings and to seek social contact and support will give people the strength to go on.

References
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