Perception and Trauma

How we perceived the terrorism during the Sept. 11 attack on the world trade centre or how we percieve traumatic events in our real lives there are similarities. For example, when we watched the attack on the world trade centre, people were glued to the television set, they tuned out all their filtering mechanisms and tried to absorb meaning and understanding of the event solely through the television. The news media always sensationalizes the news graphically. Everyone had questions and were looking for answers. The point is that people tried to make sense of this event through the television instead of a good parent, a priest, rabbi or other reliable people they could have talked to. Trauma is stored visually in the brain; consequently, the images assert influence on how we perceive the world and other people in it. The media has a great influence on our lives. However, when we talk to other people we educate ourselves, learn to trust other people, and eventually we can process traumatic events. I’m using the terrorism to illustrate trauma, however, no matter what the trauma is whether it be domestic violence, childhood issues, or loss of a loved one, it is essential to have good people to talk to. The benefits are limitless.