The fallout from the horror at Columbine High School continues. The media has helped us recognize most of the acute symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as the endless replay of events in some victims' minds, the awful psychological stress, and continuing bodily reactions - often sleep problems. One very common, but sometimes overlooked response in emotionally injured victims, whether schoolmates, teachers, parents, or paramedics, is a growing belief that life will be too short. Trauma victims often develop a sense of a foreshortened future.
Young children begin to think about never becoming an adult.
Teens may begin to think about their own lives becoming short. As this quiet change from typical teen optimism to pessimism grows, some trauma victims act out their changed philosophy - college plans evaporate, strong and supportive peer relationships somehow end and drifting begins. We all need to be alert to this kind of sad and subtle shift in people who have been touched by this tragedy. Trauma survivors need our love, kindness, support, and above all, encouragement to keep going. We have all lost some of our innocence.