Tragedy Fuels Anxiety
Family and Social Support Crucial to Healing Process

Weeks after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, marketing executive Dunovan Thomas is considering choosing peace of mind over a posh office in her job search. She worries about working in a high-rise building.

The uncertainty of war adds to existing unemployment anxiety, said Dr. Kristin Kassaw, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"This is a very difficult time for people who have been laid off from work," Dr. Kassaw said. "In addition to losing the security of bringing home a steady paycheck, some may be worried about their personal safety."

Dr. Kassaw said people go through a grieving process when confronted with loss. The first stage is denial, then anger and depression. Feelings of helplessness are also common when circumstances cannot be controlled. While most people can reach a resolution, others need professional counseling. Family and social support is crucial in this crisis, Dr. Kassaw said.

"I would suggest people who have been laid off take this time to reconnect with their families," she said. "I think this terrible tragedy has helped all of us really focus on what’s important. Family tops that list."

Being honest with family about how life will change is important, Dr. Kassaw said. Parents who have been laid off should share plans for dealing with the situation with their children.

"They might want to explain that there might be lifestyle changes, such as doing without some luxury items," Dr. Kassaw said.

She also recommends laid-off workers take inventory of what is important in their lives, and assess relationships between friends and family. They may also consider what else they may want to do with their lives, whether it is a new job or a new hobby.

Thomas is using her time off from work to consider working on a contract basis, an exciting opportunity she could not pursue when locked into a full-time job.

"I was supposed to make follow-up calls the day after the terrorist attacks," she said. "But after the attacks happened, I didn’t look for a job for at least a week. The disaster really brought my job search into perspective.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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