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Healing hidden wounds of terror

As Alok watched looped images of the recent Ahmedabad blasts on television and read personal accounts of the victims, he knew what was on their minds only too well.

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Terror attacks can be emotionally daunting. But there is a way to deal with the shock, say doctors. Kareena N Gianani finds how reaching out helps victims cope better

For Alok Shivdasani, 31, last week was déjà vu. As he watched looped images of the recent Ahmedabad blasts on television and read personal accounts of the victims, he knew what was on their minds only too well. Shivdasani was in the Borivli local that was bombed on July 11, 2006.

“The trauma of a terror attack is difficult to shake off — the initial shock goes, but after-effects linger,” he says. Shivdasani’s hearing was badly affected by the blast, but it was his psychological state that worried his family. Soon after being discharged from hospital, anxiety and insecurity plagued him. Gory images and fears flooded his mind, making it difficult to sleep, eat or get out of home. “When I tried going out, I was hit by claustrophobia. I couldn’t even bear to talk about it, forget getting back to my routine. I thought I would lose my mind,” he recounts. He panicked when his wife stepped out and refused to return to work in spite of the backlog.

Experts call this Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — a series of reactions that range from initial shock and denial, followed by guilt, depression and insecurity. Psychiatrist Anjali
Chhabria says that hyper vigilance increases soon after an incident like this. One becomes too cautious; any loud sound may make one nervous to the extent of avoiding public places completely. “Those who are directly affected suffer the most — people around get fatalistic and that worsens their situation as they are already struggling to move on.” Dr Chhabria adds that timely help is necessary to prevent the person from slipping into acute depression which might scar him/her for life.

One of the best ways out, agree doctors, is to express oneself. It might take some time, but bottling up one’s fears does not help. Support groups are a good way to talk to people with similar experiences. Another reason why immediate counselling is important is so that other psychological conditions can be ruled out and the expert can decide whether the person needs only counselling or medication as well. In most cases, even physical conditions like insomnia, hypertension, palpitations and some lifestyle diseases set in. “A victim must never be encouraged to ‘be strong’ and deal with these issues alone. If someone tends to repeat the experience, never take it lightly — hear them out and gradually steer them back to their old routine,” advises Dr Harish Shetty, clinical psychologist.

Wasim, 14, keeps asking his mother Farida why is his vision restricted to just one eye. Stroking his forehead, she replies: “Because your eye is swollen.” Wasim, a patient at the VS hospital in Ahmedabad, doesn't know that he lost his right eye in last Saturday's blast. Farida says she hasn’t told him about his damaged eye because he won't be able to bear the trauma. “He has not come to terms with his other injuries yet.”

Many of those who suffered injuries in the Ahmedabad blasts have been treated, but they cannot overcome the shock and grief of what they have seen. Doctors have tried to counsel them and provide solace. Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist Dr Hansal Bhachech says, “Victims and their relatives suffer from sleeplessness, perspiration, palpitation and panic. For them, time is the only healing factor.”

Among other issues, terror trauma is often accompanied by agitation which doctors believe must be handled carefully. Signs of hostility or violent reactions mustn’t be taken personally, they say. “Lashing out will not help. Instead, let the victim vent their emotions and then reason out the situation with them. These issues must be handled with tact and patience,” says clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany. 

This realisation took time to set in Rajendra Shetty’s case. “I couldn’t bear to look at a train for months after the blasts. I didn’t know who to speak to and was very insecure about my wife’s future — I immediately insured the family. Gradually, I opened up and discussed my fears with them. It was their support that helped me forget.”

Just like the victims, family members and children, too, need prompt attention since they have to cope with the loss for years ahead. Meeta Shah and her daughter, Esha, learnt this soon after Shah’s husband passed away in the same blasts. At first glance, it may seem that Shah made peace with the loss but minutes into the conversation, her voice shakes as she explains how deep-rooted the insecurity and depression actually is. “I was in denial for a very long time. I had lost confidence to take up my old job. Esha, then 16, was shaken. She suffers from migraine ever since. Soon after, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. We took to yoga, reiki and spiritual courses to get out of the trauma and I felt much better,” says Meeta. The Ahmedabad blasts distressed her too.
“I avoid reading about the blasts because it makes me very restless.”

In November, the Department of Applied Psychology, University of Mumbai will begin a certificate course in disaster counselling for volunteers willing to help the victims. Dr Anuradha Sovani, clinical psychologist at the University believes this will help when clubbed with counselling. “The course will teach volunteers to approach caregivers and families affected.”

(With inputs from Forum Chhaya in Ahmedabad)
g_kareena@dnaindia.net

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