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Tipper Gore on Depression After Attacks
abc via yahoo ^ | 10/10/2001 | abc

Posted on 10/11/2001 7:01:42 AM PDT by TLBSHOW

Tipper Gore on Depression After Attacks

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, 36 percent of American adults say their mental health has worsened, a new poll says.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, 36 percent of American adults say their mental health has worsened and 38 percent say they have been unable to stop thinking about the day terrorists struck, a new poll says.

Nearly half of Americans surveyed — 44 percent — say the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (news - web sites) one month ago had no impact on their mental health.

But 73 percent say they have felt "general sadness" because of the attacks, one in four say they've been unable to concentrate at work, and one in five have been either anxious and panicky or listless and lacking energy, according to the new poll, released Wednesday by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research in Washington. The results are based on a survey of 1,010 adults between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2.

One in 10 respondents said they have had nightmares or dreams featuring planes or explosions.

How to Get Help

Despite these reactions, only 3 percent said they planned on seeking help from a mental health professional to better deal with their responses to the attack. Mental health advocates are trying to spread the word on how to seek help.

Tipper Gore, honorary chair of the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign, appeared on Good Morning America to encourage people to seek mental health services on National Depression Screening Day on Thursday. Her appearance, which was scheduled before Sept. 11, happened to fall on the one-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

For some, grief over the attacks may turn to depression, and anxiety may worsen and become acute stress disorder, Gore said. On Thursday, there will be more than 2,000 free mental health screening sites at hospitals, health centers, colleges, senior centers, shopping malls and mental health clinics across the nation.

Those interested in attending a free and confidential screening can locate a site in their area by calling 1-800-520-NDSD or by going to www.mentalhealthscreening.org.

Participants hear an educational presentation, complete the screening forms, and then meet with a clinician to find out what their next step should be. Because of the events of Sept. 11, this year's screening day will also have a special emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder and its precursor, acute stress disorder.

Degrees of Depression

In the immediate wake of the attacks, many people were depressed, but for most it was situational depression triggered by the tragedy, Gore said. Others who were already clinically depressed might see their condition worsen, and they, in particular, should be aware of the need to see a doctor.

The same is true for those who experience acute stress disorder, which goes beyond general depression to include feelings of panic, anxiety and ongoing nightmares. At its extreme, people suffering from this disorder will stop eating, or eat more, and not want to leave their homes, Gore said.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is more rare than the other types of disorders. Those who watched the events on television would not be likely to succumb to it, but firefighters and rescue workers and people who escaped the attacked buildings are prime candidates. Ideally, they should see mental health professionals for screening, but even talking to friends and family can help, Gore said.

As a general rule: the longer the signs last, the more serious they are; the more they interfere with daily life, the greater the chance that professional treatment is needed. When dealing with mental health or emotional problems, it's important not to go at it alone, Gore said.

The first step is to reach out to people you trust and can turn to for support. They can help provide comfort, concern, and if needed encourage you to seek treatment and help arrange for it.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 10/11/2001 7:01:42 AM PDT by TLBSHOW
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To: TLBSHOW
Note to Tiper:

We're at WAR,

not in Therapy!"

2 posted on 10/11/2001 7:03:33 AM PDT by FReethesheeples
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To: TLBSHOW
Well, imagine working hard and waking up in the morning with a 50 feet high pile of WTC crap and corpses laying around. Depressing? Well then don't come and whine when body bags come home from Afganistan or collateral damage occurs. Those kids are our sole protection.
3 posted on 10/11/2001 7:04:36 AM PDT by lavaroise
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To: TLBSHOW
Hillary and Tipper on matters of grief; in the same day . . .

Peter Jennings's fax machine must be over-heating.

4 posted on 10/11/2001 7:05:22 AM PDT by First_Salute
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To: FReethesheeples
didn't she grow a beard too??
5 posted on 10/11/2001 7:06:30 AM PDT by cajun-jack
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To: TLBSHOW
I read a companion article a while back:

"Tipper Gore on Depression After Marrying a F#cking Moron"

6 posted on 10/11/2001 7:09:10 AM PDT by Alberta's Child
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To: TLBSHOW
bump
7 posted on 10/11/2001 7:16:21 AM PDT by FReethesheeples
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To: cajun-jack
;^)
8 posted on 10/11/2001 7:16:45 AM PDT by FReethesheeples
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To: Alberta's Child
I was thinking that

"Tipper Gore on Depression After Attacks"

wasn't about the WTC incident at all, but her husband rediscovering his err virility.

9 posted on 10/11/2001 7:23:47 AM PDT by STD
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To: TLBSHOW
Taking a major flame risk here, but I think people need to take this a little more seriously. Granted, Tipper as the source is more than a bit distasteful, however, traumatic stress is a VERY real and VERY serious disorder. And the seriousness of it is compounded if a person was already undergoing stress symptoms, as a result of a tragic death of a family member, or some such personal disaster. I've seriously considered posting a question as to how many here may be suffering nightmares since 9/11, but haven't wanted to be subjected to the certainty of a major flaming, so I have resisted posing that question.
Gentlemen, start your flame-throwers.
10 posted on 10/11/2001 7:27:14 AM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: EggsAckley
I sleep very well. I guess the years of nightmares after Vietnam have lessened the shock to me. No flames to you from here. Good question though...
11 posted on 10/11/2001 7:39:26 AM PDT by cibco
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To: EggsAckley
Disruptor!
12 posted on 10/11/2001 7:53:03 AM PDT by CalTex
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To: CalTex
Disruptor!

Lunatic!

13 posted on 10/11/2001 8:33:08 AM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: TLBSHOW
I can certainly understand how being married to AlGore might lead to severe clinical depression.
14 posted on 10/11/2001 9:12:13 AM PDT by Stefan Stackhouse
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To: EggsAckley
couldn't agree more....depression is a serious problem, that can be avoided if people sepak out about it
15 posted on 10/11/2001 11:00:41 AM PDT by conservativeobserver
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To: TLBSHOW
I thought maybe she was depressed about her husband's persistent attacks on the constitution last year.
16 posted on 10/11/2001 11:08:52 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: conservativeobserver
Yeah, and we need this from Tipper Gore.

Like hemmoroids.

Note to the Gores:

YOU'RE OVER.

Go home and have a nice group-hug.

17 posted on 10/11/2001 11:15:13 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler
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To: Alberta's Child
"Tipper Gore on Depression After Marrying a F#cking Moron"

LOL!

18 posted on 10/11/2001 11:17:48 AM PDT by spald
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To: conservativeobserver
Thank you. For some inexplicable reason CalTex seems convinced that I am some sort of disruptor for stating my (knowledgeable) opinion. As much as I love FreeRepublic, it really disgusts me when fools like that throw around stupid labels, just because they don't happen to agree. It's beyond comprehension. I have been entertaining posting a question about whether Freepers have been having nightmares since 9/11, but now I am very hesitant to do so. And that's too bad, because I believe there ARE Freepers who would welcome a chance to discuss this issue, but then the nutcases would belittle them, so the legitimate posters would probably not respond.
19 posted on 10/11/2001 11:19:54 AM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: TLBSHOW
In screening outpatients for surgery, I am disturbed by how many take antidepressants, and practice polypharmacy. Americans seem to think they should never experience ups and downs, or any kind of discomfort. I believe the reason we have such high numbers of people suffering from "mental disorders" is because we have such high numbers of mental health practictioners(psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors) all of whom need to practice and feed off of one another. My experience has been that all of these people I've been around are just a little(to a lot) off.

Perhaps the hidden positive effect of this crisis will be a realization that life is supposed to have ups and downs. Maybe they will see that chemicals are not the answer and live outside themselves a little more.

20 posted on 10/11/2001 11:22:43 AM PDT by az wildkitten
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