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Psychologist Discusses Sniper's Impact on Mental Health

Aired October 15, 2002 - 14:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The prospect of a sniper bent on murder lurking in the shadows is wearing on the public psyche of many people here in the Washington suburbs.
Joining us from Washington now to talk about the fear factor is Michael Feanza, he is president of the National Mental Health Association.

Michael, hello, thanks for joining us today.

MICHAEL FEANZA, PSYCHOLOGIST: Hello, Daryn, glad to be here.

KAGAN: First, I want to talk about some of the factors that are adding to anxiety around here. First, 84 hours. That's how long the killer just went between the last shooting and then the shooting that took place last night. Just when people have a sense that perhaps this might be over, there is yet another killing.

FEANZA: I think the unpredictability of when the sniper will strike again is one of the reasons that adds the stress and the anxiety to so many of us in the Washington Metropolitan Area. I think the most important thing to say, though, is that all of us that live here would best acknowledge that having some fear and having some anxiety is really a normal and a healthy response to what's going on around us. And I think we all down deep realize that things will be okay, this will pass. But I think acknowledging that fear is a normal response, keeping in mind that there's things that we need to do to take care of ourselves. And I especially would like to remind viewers that how we relate to our children at this time is very important.

KAGAN: Yes, I want to get to kids in just a minute, but first, I want to talk about us grown-ups and how we deal with that. I think what I hear you saying is feel the feeling. This is a scary time, it is an anxious time, it's okay to feel -- but where do you draw the line between acknowledging the real feelings and having it paralyze how you go about your daily life?

FEANZA: Well, I think the fact if you're in a situation where your anxiety, where your thoughts are paralyzing you, that's when it's time to get some help. And that if you're fearful and you cannot leave your home, if you cannot work, if you cannot go to school, you're an adult student, if your anxiety or your fear is that debilitating, talking with a physician or another mental health professional is really the smart thing to do. Also, the case, if you're having trouble sleeping and that lasts over several days, if there is a major disruption in eating habits, if there are thoughts that are persistently very fearful and panicky, that would be the time to seek help.

But I think the vast majority of us will be fine and some of the things that will help us will be to be able to really admit how we're feeling, talk with people that we care about, support and reinforce each other. And, also, to do things that, if at any time, are smart to do, it's now, in terms of taking care of our health, our rest.

KAGAN: Michael, let me just jump in here right now, because we only have about a minute left and I want to talk about how you deal with the kids. I think a lot of kids -- most kids take the lead from how adults are feeling. Parents need to acknowledge that something's going on. I mean, kids are not being allowed to play outside, or go to recess, they know something is going on, but how far do you take it in terms of telling them exactly what's going on? You don't want to scare them too much.

FEANZA: Well, I think that you don't want to give kids too much information, but a level of honesty is important. And I think that acknowledging for children and adolescents that adults, and you as a parent or a teacher, also have some fears or anxieties, but you know that things will be fine, that people that care about children will make them safe, that it will be okay.

And I think one, you know, sticky item is how much do we tell kids about our own feelings? I think it's important to acknowledge that fear and anxiety is normal, but it also is important for the parent or caretaker or the teacher, the adult, to be in control and to be able to tell the child that they are safe, they will be taken care of, and this time will pass.

KAGAN: Michael Feanza, of the National Mental Health Association, thank you for your time. And as you mentioned, you're a resident of this area, so you be safe and calm up there as well.

FEANZA: Thank you. Same to you.

KAGAN: We appreciate your time.

FEANZA: Appreciate it.

KAGAN: Thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 15, 2002 - 14:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The prospect of a sniper bent on murder lurking in the shadows is wearing on the public psyche of many people here in the Washington suburbs.
Joining us from Washington now to talk about the fear factor is Michael Feanza, he is president of the National Mental Health Association.

Michael, hello, thanks for joining us today.

MICHAEL FEANZA, PSYCHOLOGIST: Hello, Daryn, glad to be here.

KAGAN: First, I want to talk about some of the factors that are adding to anxiety around here. First, 84 hours. That's how long the killer just went between the last shooting and then the shooting that took place last night. Just when people have a sense that perhaps this might be over, there is yet another killing.

FEANZA: I think the unpredictability of when the sniper will strike again is one of the reasons that adds the stress and the anxiety to so many of us in the Washington Metropolitan Area. I think the most important thing to say, though, is that all of us that live here would best acknowledge that having some fear and having some anxiety is really a normal and a healthy response to what's going on around us. And I think we all down deep realize that things will be okay, this will pass. But I think acknowledging that fear is a normal response, keeping in mind that there's things that we need to do to take care of ourselves. And I especially would like to remind viewers that how we relate to our children at this time is very important.

KAGAN: Yes, I want to get to kids in just a minute, but first, I want to talk about us grown-ups and how we deal with that. I think what I hear you saying is feel the feeling. This is a scary time, it is an anxious time, it's okay to feel -- but where do you draw the line between acknowledging the real feelings and having it paralyze how you go about your daily life?

FEANZA: Well, I think the fact if you're in a situation where your anxiety, where your thoughts are paralyzing you, that's when it's time to get some help. And that if you're fearful and you cannot leave your home, if you cannot work, if you cannot go to school, you're an adult student, if your anxiety or your fear is that debilitating, talking with a physician or another mental health professional is really the smart thing to do. Also, the case, if you're having trouble sleeping and that lasts over several days, if there is a major disruption in eating habits, if there are thoughts that are persistently very fearful and panicky, that would be the time to seek help.

But I think the vast majority of us will be fine and some of the things that will help us will be to be able to really admit how we're feeling, talk with people that we care about, support and reinforce each other. And, also, to do things that, if at any time, are smart to do, it's now, in terms of taking care of our health, our rest.

KAGAN: Michael, let me just jump in here right now, because we only have about a minute left and I want to talk about how you deal with the kids. I think a lot of kids -- most kids take the lead from how adults are feeling. Parents need to acknowledge that something's going on. I mean, kids are not being allowed to play outside, or go to recess, they know something is going on, but how far do you take it in terms of telling them exactly what's going on? You don't want to scare them too much.

FEANZA: Well, I think that you don't want to give kids too much information, but a level of honesty is important. And I think that acknowledging for children and adolescents that adults, and you as a parent or a teacher, also have some fears or anxieties, but you know that things will be fine, that people that care about children will make them safe, that it will be okay.

And I think one, you know, sticky item is how much do we tell kids about our own feelings? I think it's important to acknowledge that fear and anxiety is normal, but it also is important for the parent or caretaker or the teacher, the adult, to be in control and to be able to tell the child that they are safe, they will be taken care of, and this time will pass.

KAGAN: Michael Feanza, of the National Mental Health Association, thank you for your time. And as you mentioned, you're a resident of this area, so you be safe and calm up there as well.

FEANZA: Thank you. Same to you.

KAGAN: We appreciate your time.

FEANZA: Appreciate it.

KAGAN: Thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com