War, Violence and the Next Generation

Like physicians and EMS providers, psychologists deal with the effects of crisis. Here delegation member Zandra Stewart, a school psychologist who accompanied her husband, Chicago First Deputy Fire Commissioner Charles Stewart, to Israel, explains the damage that can occur to children living in places like Sderot—or anyplace with high levels of random violence.

   Living in any environment that's unstable for kids presents many problems. Anxiety disorders and fear are just a couple of psychological concerns. Experiences in our childhood provide the basis for how we interpret our environment as adults. If these experiences are full of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, etc., our ability to grow into secure teens and adults will likely not occur. Feelings of hopelessness, despair and depression, as well as behavioral problems accompanied by poor concentration, are likely to surface. With each traumatic experience, an initial response may require EMS assistance to help with an injury and/or the resulting panic that occurs. Children may not feel safe in their environment (home or school) or may be unable to function mentally or physically. Conditions such as select mutism, depression, hysteria and/or acting out can occur, requiring psychological or psychiatric intervention.

   Experiences in our childhood help form our adulthood. Whether we choose to internalize or externalize our reactions to what we experience determines our adult temperament and disposition. Some individuals will easily overcome the trauma, while others will not. Adults may also have feelings of helplessness and depression. They may resort to habits or avoidance behaviors to help them cope--examples may be smoking or not returning to work.

   Dealing with emergencies on a weekly, daily or monthly basis is exhausting. What’s best is to try and return to the normal routine of life. Distraction is good. Reading and/or playing games with children is always good. Teaching various coping techniques to children and adults can be beneficial, such as visual imagery, deep breathing, positive statements. Group counseling can also be beneficial to provide support and emotional nourishment. --Zandra Stewart