Dear friends and practice members,

Each of us will handle the events of last week in slightly different
fashions. That being said, there are a number of signs and symptoms that we
should be on the lookout for in each other, in our families, at work, in
ourselves. Please be observant in yourself and in all those you deal with
for the following:

1. Withdrawal from day to day activity.
2. Irritability without cause or excessive irritability over minor matters.
3. Anger about the unfolding details of September 11, 2001.
4. Behavior that is inappropriate or misdirected.
5. Disturbances in sleep patterns.
6. Disturbances in eating patterns.
7. Blaming people and factors inappropriately or illogically.
8. Tardiness, inability to meet commitments.
9. Inattentiveness and forgetfulness.
10. Anger with persons of authority.

To help you, your friends, relatives, and co-workers here are some things we
can all take on.

1. Consider implementing or increasing an exercise program for yourself.
2. Consider a manual, creative outlet such as art, music or other
activities.
3. Be careful as you drive. Keep your attention on the road and be present
behind the wheel.
4. Be careful with the use of machinery and power tools. You must have your
full attention on these activities if you are going to be involved with
them.
5. Go to the movies, rent a movie, seek some visual entertainment that will
give you a break from CNN and the like.
6. Be very careful with the use of alcohol. If you have any tendency to use
alcohol as a coping mechanism, be extremely careful. As you know, alcohol is
a depressant--have a beer because you would like one, never because you need
one.
7. Talk about how you are feeling about this horror. Try and seek out a
person with whom you are comfortable and be candid and open about how you
are feeling.
8. Know that your feelings of anger, resentment, disgust, hostility, etc.
are perfectly normal and understandable. Be respectful of how you are
feeling. Honor them.
9. Understand that you are not powerless. You have total control over how
you will respond, how you will release your anger, experience your sadness
and share your grief, etc.
10. Be careful not to take your frustration and anger out on persons of
Arab-American ancestry or on persons of the Islamic faith. They are
suffering just as you are. Reacting vicariously to them in our community and
beyond only serves to create another innocent victim in this chain of
trauma.
11. Slow down, take a deep breath, think about what you are doing, what you
are saying and why you are saying or doing anything.
12. Get Adjusted, have a massage, meditate, pray, do yoga ... RELEASE IT
OUT OF THE TISSUE CELLS.
13. If you have a strategy that helps you deal more effectively at these
times, let us know. Drop me a line here at in8one@earthlink.net  and I will
pass it on.

At times such as these, community means more than it does at any other time.
Be there for each other, be compassionate and be willing to heal from this
inconceivable trauma.

Thank you again for all your efforts to deal with this horrific
circumstance. Please let me know how we might be able to assist you and
yours in this process. We are a Safe haven to feel and experience what
needs to be, just as it is, right now.

Yours in Life,

Dr. Jeff