Trauma and the insurrection

[Mike 03]

CT Mirror
SHERRY HALLER
FEBRUARY 8, 2021

Experts tell us that there are two types of trauma: witnessing primary trauma and witnessing secondary or vicarious trauma (crisis or violence in others). Trauma not only increases the risk of post traumatic stress, but depression, anxiety, substance abuse, physical and mental health issues, interpersonal relationship and family problems, and the increased risk of suicide.

I along with millions of Americans watched the Capitol siege unfold in real time, a barrage of video feeds appearing on all major news networks, across all platforms. After dozens of viewings of the wreckage and death, I found myself either looking away, turning down the volume or putting my hand over half of the split screen, unable to continue watching the horror.

Tears flowed as I watched the officer being crushed and screaming in agony time and time again. I could no longer hear the rabid, bloodthirsty shouts of the insurrectionists prowling through the halls looking for Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and any other members of Congress they could find. Zip ties, nooses, handcuffs, a makeshift gallows — a bloody coup in Washington, D.C. For me, it felt a bit like 9/11 — disbelief, alarm, worry, shock, dismay, fear and then outrage.

I expressed my concern about the potential impact the insurrection videos could be having on all of us – adults and children alike — with my colleagues and friends. I told them that if I could, I would ask our news outlets to stop the repetitive loop of the same images time and again of the mob and their beatings, perhaps only airing new footage and presenting the older ones as stills.

While they expressed concern about the potential cumulative impact of the images, many felt it essential that they must continue to be shown. Otherwise, we may be running the risk of minimizing or forgetting the import of the siege and the ongoing threat of white supremacists and anarchists to our democracy. When I listen to some of our members of Congress spew vitriol, lies, and hatred, I now know they are right. Today, over 70% of Americans believe our democracy is in peril.

The shock of the insurrection may wane over time, the long-term trauma of this period in our lives may not.

Read more at link: https://ctmirror.org/category/ct-viewpoints/trauma-and-the-insurrection/

[58Sunliner]

1. K & R!!

[Hortensis]

2. We do need to be aware that some around us may be more vulnerable

to trauma and need our assistance in sheltering from what is too disturbing. Those who watch news at all and are able to pre-record in order to leap past should as needed.

But most people have evolved to be resilient enough to handle most traumas, because traumas are an inevitable part of life. A real problem is also on the other end -- that too many people are not disturbed enough.

I have to disagree with trying to protect society in general from full, scary realization of what's happening now. Because we're all in real danger and people should be alarmed. The mercifully incompetent attempt by Trump, trumpists, and Republicans in congress on January 6 to make Trump the dictator of an authoritarian state was a critically important wake-up call to reality. The grave danger of a RW extremist takeover is very real and still with us.

The unpleasant reality that "it" has and still could happen here is NOTHING to the continuing trauma we'd all experience as frightened, oppressed residents of a police state controlled by the kind of people who intend to remake America as a white male-controlled Christian state, encouraged the spread of domestic violence and deadly disease to further their aims, and sent a mob to lynch political opponents.

[Irish_Dem]

3. I agree the American people need to see what is happening to our country.

It cannot be covered up. As you say we are in real danger and must face reality.
We ignore the facts at our own peril.

I think that those who are vulnerable, sensitive, and have prior trauma should take a TV and news break.
If they get triggered, then for sure they need to avoid the media for awhile.

[Hortensis]

4. As you say. And for those who need to, taking care of ourselves

is a necessary part of being a responsible citizen. I no longer bother feeling bad (much) that inability to tolerate UV, heat and cold now keeps me from outdoor events. There's no virtue to contributing heat prostration.

[Maru Kitteh]

5. For me it was the audio recording of the child crying for her parents and

her aunt, wanting to go home but being ridiculed and taunted by INS officers while she sobbed in a cage at the border under that hideous animal's administration of monsters. They played that audio again on Saturday and I'm tearing up now just thinking of it. I hear my own daughter's voice in that little girl, and it utterly destroys me. I cannot hear it without crying.

[abqtommy]

6. K&R