By Kristen Taufer
Weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, people are still feeling the loss brought by the tragedy.
People can feel varying levels of grief for varying periods of time, said Richard Heaps, a psychologist at BYU''s Counseling and Career Center and a Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department.
Even those who do not have a personal connection to the trauma can have feelings of loss and grief, Heaps said.
'It would be perfectly normal for an individual to feel a personal impact and have empathy for other people,' Heaps said. 'It''s one of the important characteristics of a healthy person.'
Although some grief is normal, it is a problem when that grief impairs the person''s ability to function in basic daily activities, said Wes Matheson, director of social work at the state hospital.
Signs of disruption in daily life include changes in sleeping, problems concentrating, floods of emotion, flashbacks or dreams, and nightmares of a grieving nature, Heaps said.
'Those are normal in the beginning, but it''s a problem when they continue,' Heaps said.
Both Heaps and Matheson agree that talking about the feelings of grief is important.
'People should not feel like you can''t talk about it. Bottling things up can make people begin experiencing stress reactions,' Heaps said.
'The healing process starts by talking with someone who will listen and someone that you trust,' Matheson said.
Continually watching television about the disturbing events can cause repeated trauma if people do not take time to think the events through and figure things out, said Heaps
The reports of future war and biological attack can promote fearfulness as well, but once again talking about the feelings can help.
Emily Hess, 19, a sophomore from Kaysville, Davis County, majoring in media arts understands what it is like to deal with grief.
Her father was injured in a propane explosion that changed her family''s life dramatically.
'You just have to cope the best you can,' said Hess, who now volunteers at Primary Children''s Medical Center talking to burn victims.
'You realize you''re not the only one that experiences grief and then you want to help others,' Hess said. 'You have to allow the strength you''ve found to strengthen others.'
Hess also found strength in knowing that God has a plan for everything. 'Heavenly Father is perfect. He knows what he''s doing even if we don''t.'