EAO: How to cope

The Employee Assistance Office offers the following information that may be useful in coping with the events of Sept. 11:

Common reactions
1. Emotional shock; feeling distracted and frightened.
2. The urgent need to contact family and friends who may have been in the geogrpahic area of the attack, been planning to fly on this date, worried about your safety.
3. Inability to focus on daily tasks and/or loss of interest in usual activities.
4. The reawakening of trauma experienced at an earlier time.
5. Anxiety about expected travel for business or pleasure for oneself or others in the next days.
6. Loss of feeling safe in America.
7. Fear of war and uncertainty over our government’s responses to these acts.
8. An urgent need to hear the news and track the sites of terrorism; a desire to learn about the perpetrators and their plans; the hopes for a response that will bring safety.
9. Agitation and/or irritability.
10. Anger or denial.
11. Increased alcohol/drug consumption.
12. Overworking as a distraction.
13. Feelings of helplessness.
14. Survivor guilt.
15. Withdrawal from social situations or difficulty being alone.

Useful responses
1. Take care of yourself, your family or loved ones by contacting each other for reassurance and support.
2. Stay close to the news as it unfolds to stay in touch with reality.
3. Talk frequently to others about your responses and the impact of these events on your family and our country.
4. If you find your response disabling, it may be helpful to contact the Employee Assistance Office.
5. In response to highly stressed persons at work, be supportive. Also be aware of their reduced ability to concentrate or their diminished productivity. If this persists you can suggest they contact Employee Assistance, 263-2987, Steve Pearson, Kathleen Holt.