Before I even go into any topic, I must say that my heart breaks for the victims in yesterday's Boston Marathon bombing. I don't know what religion any of my readers believe in, or if any of you are atheist or agnostic. But if you pray, please pray for everyone affected by this tragedy. If you don't, please send some good, comforting vibes their way. We know they will need all the help that we can offer.
There's always this giant pink elephant in the room when a major tragedy like this occurs. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the news channels bombarded us with 24 hour coverage, showing every little detail, every single violent burst of flame, every piece of mangled steel which followed the collapse of both Twin Towers, which was also shown over and over again.
I had no idea about PTSD at the time, but now that I do, I can say with fairly great certainty that the people who had PTSD from the Oklahoma City bombing faced a triggering event on 9/11/2001. The repetitive images were similar enough to bring back the terrifying and haunting memories of what they went through in 1995. Fast forward to the London and Madrid subway suicide bombings. What crippling effects did those attacks have on the people living with PTSD from the 9/11 attacks?
It's the same with these school shootings. Even those who survive the shootings and/or were in parts of the school the killer(s) didn't get to will often have PTSD. The first responders often have PTSD. So when these people endure the 24 hour coverage of the next school shooting and then the next one, and so forth, they're triggered time and time again.
I'm not suggesting that CNN take a lighter touch with covering breaking news (which is good, because I'm a total news whore). What I wish for all of us with PTSD is that the media acknowledge that this is actually an issue. Why do I have to post on Facebook after every tragedy, "Please don't forget those who will be triggered because of their PTSD"? Why can't the media do a 2 minute spot a couple of times a day during a severe crisis to explain PTSD and how this crisis may affect those of us with it? Why does this always remain unacknowledged?
Yesterday, 3 people were killed and almost 200 were injured, and that is a huge tragedy and I never would demean that horror. But I know there are many, many more victims out there right now: people with PTSD who have been triggered by yesterday's tragedy.
Those of us with PTSD always seem to be the forgotten factor in every tragedy.
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