Posted on 02/14/2003 10:30:56 AM PST by NEWwoman
SAN FRANCISCO -- Whether you're for war with Iraq or against it, one common sentiment many Americans share is a growing sense of anxiety over the possibility of a terrorist attack here at home.
In the Bay Area, doctors are beginning to see patients who are anxious and afraid that war could mean never feeling safe again.
"My patients are reading the newspaper, listening to the news just like everybody else is," said Dr. Mark Levy, a Bay Area psychiatrist. "And it's on their mind."
There's been no recent scientific poll asking Bay Area residents what the level of anxiety about the possibility of war, but unscientifically, all you have to do is listen to a dinner conversation, or overhear strangers' as you pass by and it seems to be all everybody's talking about.
"It's new for us," said Edna Ross of Oakland. "I think we've always been in danger and we just didn't know it before. And so now we know it it's kinda scary. And the anticipation wears on you."
The specter of war is becoming more visible here in the Bay Area. There are military helicopters looming over the bridges and CHP officers are scanning vehicles for radioactive materials near the Bay Bridge.
SURVEY Do You Feel Safe In The Bay Area? Yes, I have not changed my life in any way since the orange alert level was issued. No, I've begun either taking precautions or am planning to take precautions because I think there is the chance of a terrorist attack.
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And then there are the blaring newspaper headlines and television news reports. It's hard to escape the reports. Levy says that makes it really important to be very attune to the mood of family members, friends and co-workers.
"Loved ones, friends and neighbors need to be attuned to the fact that if a bomb goes off, somebody next door or somebody who lives in the next bedroom might be shaken to the quick by this event," Levy said. "Even though you and I may pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and trudge on."
Doctors say the best way to relieve anxiety is to do something about it. For some people that may mean participating in an anti-war rally or writing their Congressperson.
For others, it's simply the act of getting prepared by stockpiling food, buying a gas mask, and getting duct tape and plastic sheets for the windows.
Despite all the rumors of war, some Bay Area residents are taking it in stride and don't plan to change their lives at all -- at least not yet.
"I'm just not worried about it yet," said Steve Kelly of San Francisco. " I have faith in our government what's gonna be happening, I hope everything pans out, but I'm just not too worried about it."
Tim Kelly of Lafayette said he doesn't let his anxiety disrupt his daily routine.
"I think there's a lot to be anxious about and it's hard to know with the way things are with Iraq and North Korea," he said. "So there's a lot to worry about, but I think if you let that stop what you do every day, then they start winning. So you can't do that."
Levy says if you're having trouble sleeping or have other symptoms of anxiety try talking it out. Exercise can also help. If you're still feeling distressed, Levy said, seek professional help.
Anyway, I digress. I bet the homeless population is leaving in droves.
Dan
yea right...
the first thing I did was to start packing two extra mags
hope we don‘t go to red alert, the flame thrower's really bulky...
we had a power outage yesterday from Rock Springs Wy. to St. George Ut. and i was with another freeper at the time. we both admited wondering for that split second whether it was an act of terrorism
it wound up being the cause of a trucker with an end dump trailer clipping two 138,000 volt lines leading into a substation trippng this, tripping that.
question is, are we paranoid or vigilant...
You mean those environs once known as Gaul and Germainia?
these people really need to get to the range more often.
In her case, it took ignoring the Gulf War and ignoring 9/11. I'll bet she saw a LOCAL news piece about duct tape to finally wake her up.
In your case, " question is, are we paranoid or vigilant... ", only you two can decide the truth. Myself, I call vigilance a trait of being self reliant.
my gosh, i'm really surprised she wants someone else to do the shooting for her.
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