HANDLING ANXIETY IN THE FACE
OF THE ANTHRAX SCARE
From the American Psychological Association
Since September 11, Americans are dealing with a new and sometimes frightening reality. At the same time, we have been told that returning to our normal routines is best for the nation and best for our own emotional well-being. But, feeling normal again can, for many people, be difficult. One question we should all consider is, "how real is the actual threat to our loved ones and ourselves?"
HOW BIG IS THE ACTUAL THREAT?
It is important to keep in mind the scale of the actual threat. Anthrax, at this point, is a very limited threat. It has not infected large parts of the American population, and it appears that only the most high profile Americans are being targeted. The most common form of the infection, skin anthrax, is highly treatable. Inhaled anthrax, while much more serious, is also more rare.
Statistically, one's odds of contracting anthrax are minuscule and many people do not have a rational assessment of the actual danger of harm from anthrax. Near constant news coverage of the anthrax scare can make the problem seem much larger than it is. One is more likely to die in a car accident than be infected with anthrax (40,000 Americans die annually from car accidents).
It is normal to have stressful responses to uncertain health scares because of the unknown danger. Similar responses occurred during the first AIDS outbreaks in the 1980s. The higher the risk for fatalities upon exposure, the more likely some people will overreact. Changing one's perspective to match the proportion of the actual threat can help keep the fear of "what is going to happen next" from growing out of proportion to the actual risk.
HOW RISKS/THREATS GET MISPERCEIVED
Psychological research on risk perception has found that people are more inclined to focus on outcomes than probability. This explains why some people are now afraid of opening their own mail. The potential outcome of contracting a fatal illness from opening mail is creating more anxiety for many Americans than the risk of getting hit by a car when crossing the street or having an accident while mowing the lawn. But, statistically speaking, the probability of having the auto or home accident is much higher than contracting an anthrax infection. This focus on an outcome rather than a probability also explains why people buy lottery tickets when the jackpot hits an astronomical figure, like 50 million.
Further research has shown that cumulative danger that builds over long periods of time, such as noise exposure to a person's ears or pollution causing damage to a person's lungs is not generally believed to be as threatening as is acute danger.
Other research has shown that people are not as influenced by statistics as they are by case studies of horrible events. If a person can form a mental image of themselves, their children or their loved ones in life-threatening situations, he or she feels vulnerable. Creating such a mental image is much easier to do with ready-made images from our TVs and newspapers. Statistics show that while becoming the victim of further terrorism is unlikely for the great majority of Americans, the images of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon can supersede people's rational perception of what is dangerous.
HOW THIS MIGHT AFFECT YOU
Both researchers and clinicians say that how a person has coped with other crises will largely determine how they might cope with this fear of anthrax. How people make choices when they have to take risks also influences how much this perceived threat will affect their daily lives. People who regularly take risks (whether in work or leisure) develop more of an internal locus of control - belief that you can control what happens to you. This perspective of how much one has control over external events will play into how you deal with events you have no control over.
NO RIGHT WAY: DIFFERENT COPING STYLES FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE
While the source of the limited number of anthrax letters is not yet known, they come at a time when threats of terrorism are on everyone's mind. We are all experiencing some level of anxiety. To help yourself manage anxiety you should use the coping mechanisms that are most comfortable for you. Two common ways people handle anxiety are by either wanting to control events or wanting to escape them. Most people's reactions fall somewhere between these two extremes. Some people want to stay up-to-date with all the latest news, others prefer to clean the attic. Don't feel you have to change your style. One way to increase your sense of control is be more vigilant about your surroundings. But, it is also important to remember that some people who would like more control than is possible can become more compulsive about having control and therefore suffer more anxiety.
HOW CAN WE MANAGE OUR ANXIETY OVER ANTHRAX?
One aim of terrorism is to induce fear and anxiety in individuals, a community, or a nation. The terrorists hope that the fear of future attacks will become crippling, thus maximizing the impact of the direct damage. It is important to understand that manipulation of our feelings is one of the goals of the terrorists. Just as after the September 11 attacks, we did not let the amount of devastation and sadness stop us from uniting together and moving forward with a greater resolve, we should not let the current anthrax scare undermine our abilities to pursue our daily lives.
Techniques to reduce anxiety and stress:
Seek professional help from a psychologist or other licensed mental health care provider if your stress and anxiety are not subsiding. Anyone who experienced previous trauma could be at a somewhat higher risk for emotional strain now. If you fall into this category you may want to seek help sooner especially if you are unable to meet your daily responsibilities, i.e. if you are having difficulty going to work or caring for your children.
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN WITH THEIR FEARS?
If young children have heard about anthrax, they are likely not to know what it is or means. If they have had exposure to discussions of anthrax or ask about anthrax, answering in a simple, straightforward way is important. For example, "it is something that can make people very sick, but we have good medicine for helping them to get better." Reassure very young children that they are not likely to get this illness. For older children who may be watching or talking about it, it is first important to find out what they understand about the threat. If there are misperceptions (i.e., you can catch it from someone; it is in all the mail, etc.) clear them up as misinformation can lead to heightened anxiety.
Open discussion of a child's worries is critical to keeping their potential fears in check. Children need to see adults in their lives as approachable and communicative not only about anthrax, but about the World Trade Center, ongoing threats of terrorist actions, and the war on terrorism in which we are now engaged.
Children need to know that it continues to be fine to have fun and to enjoy their activities without concern of imminent danger. Adolescents need to hear that measures are being taken to maximize their safety. Most importantly, children of all ages need to see their parents as calming and supportive individuals who are committed to their safety and security.
If a parent finds that the worry about these new threats is constant and is interfering with the ability to maintain daily functioning, a consultation with a mental health professional skilled in work with trauma is recommended.
CDC link with medical information on Anthrax:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
Contributing Experts:
Copyright © 2001 American Psychological Association. All Rights Reserved.