Are You Doing Badly After The Boston Marathon Bombings?
Today is the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings and there are many stories going around right now about the resilience and the success of the people who had to survive that experience. And that’s great. Spreading a positive mental health message through the media is something that I welcome considering it’s so often the negative that gets promoted.
But a reader of mine emailed me today and asked, “Aren't there any people who aren't doing well?”
I want to reassure this reader that absolutely, there are people hurting today – anniversaries can be very hard for people and some people are suffering today because of the tragic events of the Boston Marathon bombings.
People are Resilient and Come Back from Tragedies
It’s true, human beings are resilient. No matter what the trauma, people have a tendency to, over time, bounce back. And it’s great to focus on these stories in some respects. In fact, my reader wanted to make it clear that she thinks these stories are great.
The problem is, these stories tend to alienate all the people who aren’t doing well on the anniversary of an event like the Boston Marathon bombings. Because while human beings do have a tendency to bounce back, human beings can also be injured – in huge ways and for prolonged periods of time.
People are Hurting and Thinking about the Bombings
And I can guarantee you that there are people hurting today. There are likely people who have struggled for the past year and find today to be a real challenge to get through. There are people who are crying. There are people who are mourning. There are people who are experiencing major symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These people might not be vocal about it, but these people are out there.
The Silently Injuries of the Boston Marathon Bombings
These are the people who were also injured in the Boston Marathon bombings. They may not have been in the blast radius, but they were injured nonetheless – their injuries just happen to be invisible. And just like in all cases, these injuries take time to heal, and the healing process isn’t done for everyone just yet.
It’s Okay Not to be Okay about the Boston Marathon Bombings
So it’s important to remember that just because you don’t fit the image of the smiling person on the news talking about how they’ve gotten over the tragedy and have gone on to achieve amazing things, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. It’s okay to admit that you have been injured by these events. It’s okay to admit that it has been hard. It’s okay to admit that today is particularly hard.
Because everyone who has ever lived through a trauma gets it. Healing takes the amount of time that it takes and that timeline is not dictated by news stories.
You can find Natasha Tracy on Facebook or Google+ or @Natasha_Tracy on Twitter or at the Bipolar Burble, her blog.
APA Reference
Tracy, N.
(2014, April 15). Are You Doing Badly After The Boston Marathon Bombings?, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, December 22 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2014/04/doing-badly-boston-marathon-bombings
Author: Natasha Tracy
I am not an American (I'm Canadian) but I can still relate. I work for an enforcement organization. I was vey emotional, especially when the 911 attacks occurred in the US. I thought we were headed for another world war (and we kinda were, the war on terrorism). After I got over some of my sadness though I got angry. How dare they do that to my friend and neighbor! I heard it said that depression is anger turned inward (in my opinion because of a profound sense of hopelessness). I am so greatful that I was able to play a small part in fighting that war which helped to lift my feelings of hopelessness and therefore prevent my depression from getting worse
Maybe if we all tried a little harder to help others who are sad and in need instead of being so focused on ourselves and drowning in a sea of depair it could also do wonders to lift some of our depression too and improve self esteem. I find volunteerism is a great pick me up. Sometimes all it takes is just showing a little compassion for others, i.e not all Muslims are terrorists
After two of our own soldiers were recently killed on Canadian soil by another Canadian, I was again overcome by great sadness. My heart goes out to their families. I wonder how they are feeling this Remembrance Day. Especially the little boy who now no longer has a father. (I used to sponsor a little girl in Kenya but I can no longer afford to do so because of personal debt) It brings me to tears to see such a show of Canadian patriotism today. If it does this to me imagine what it probably does for all the veterans and those currently serving overseas
We must try to overcome evil with good says the bible. We MUST continue to fight the good fight and if for us that means fighting depression so be it.
Who can we help or comfort today besides ourselves...
The above appointing question exhibits numerous dilemmas on real psycho-social nature of man-made tragic events. First of all, evil doers are constituent part of mankind, which ones ruin the prosperity of society, around all the world. This is the open face of violence, but essential reasons for brutal act of anyone have got more deep roots. Indeed, there are biological and social factors that determine the development of personality, as crucial moment of global welfare, respectively universal misfortune. Unwinding of this complex provocative issue requires substantial and outspoken elaboration. However, our human obligation is to mollify the destructive consequences of violence, such is the Boston Marathon Bombings, by pro-social relationships. By me each person in oneself social milieu deserve correct treatment having in regard that we are in continuous emotional turmoil. Let's begin to realize this mission today, without any negative interpersonal dealing! It should to honour oneself personality through benevolence toward others.
Great and a very informative post for me. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Thank you so much! You said it perfectly (as usual)!
I appreciate all you do for all of us.
Blessings,
Linda