Coping with 9/11, nearly a decade later

Dr. Renee Clauselle, from left, provides mental health services in Franklin Square and Kings Park. Dr. Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., is the author of, “How to Beat Procrastination in the Digital Age.”

It’s been nearly 10 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the nation, and it’s difficult for adults — especially here on the South Shore of Nassau County, where so many of the victims of 9/11 left from that beautiful Tuesday morning in 2011, never to return — to cope with the memories, grief and anxieties that come with this 10th anniversary. However, many children and young adults are also profoundly affected and less capable of dealing with psychological trauma.

Dr. Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice and columnist for the Nassau Herald said that many people who suffer from psychological trauma related to a specific event experience more anxiety on the anniversary of that event. This effect is known as the “Anniversary Syndrome” — a psychological process wherein a date associated with some very important event in one’s life evokes some or many of the feelings and thoughts or emotions experienced then. Anniversary Syndrome is sometimes sub-conscious; some people have little awareness of the source or cause.

Dr. Renee Clauselle, founder of Child and Family Psychology, which has an office in Franklin Square, said that research has shown that time does not play as big a part in the healing process as good psychological help,

So how can parents and teachers aid themselves and children in coping with trauma related to 9/11? According to Sapadin and Clauselle, the following tips can help:

Use calming words, steer away from negative emotions

Sapadin said that parents and teachers should make sure to use calming words when talking about the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in order to prevent causing themselves and their children to fear the occurrence of a similar event. For instance, instead of saying, “I can’t believe this happened,” a parent could say, “It was a terrible event, but look how the country has come together since then.” Ultimately, parents should reiterate the importance of 9/11 as a day to remember those who died, while remembering that the country lives on — “remembering but looking forward,” Sapadin said.