Wednesday, September 12, 2001

TCU students’ emotions near hysteria, psychologists say
By Emily Ward
Skiff Staff

Although the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. were about 1,500 miles away, TCU students are feeling the emotional impact as if the attacks happened in their own back yards.

“I think this is significant for TCU students because they are Americans,” said David Cross, an associate professor of psychology at TCU. “It’s going to be more difficult if you have somebody with a personal connection (to the incident), but I still think people are hurt, angry and scared.”

Emotions are the result of physiological empathy, meaning that a person’s emotions reflect his or her body’s natural reactions, Cross said. Hysteria, as defined in Webster’s II New College Dictionary, is excessive or uncontrollable emotion, like panic or fear.

“People are experiencing physiological stress, which is the way your body would react if you walked out of your house and saw a strange man standing there,” Cross said.

“This is going to traumatize people. It’s terrifying to your sense of well-being and sense of order.”

Assisting students who need help in dealing with these attacks has now become a substantial concern on the TCU campus, said John Schuster, a clinical psychologist at the TCU Counseling Center.

Most resident assistants and hall directors will be the front line for those experiencing confusion, anger, depression or general concern for what has happened. After talking to an RA or a hall director, students may be referred to the Counseling Center for additional support, Schuster said.

Christy Lehew, hall director for Waits Hall, said her staff will be assisting students in getting the necessary support.

Brachman Hall Director Terry Baich said group communication will play a significant role in recovering from this recent tragedy.

“I think a lot of what’s going to happen is a natural community gathering,” Baich said.

Schuster said students can also get help from psychologists at the Counseling Center.

“The best thing to do is to let the person talk and express their feelings,” Schuster said. “Most students are just talking out loud. They are not looking for a real answer, because there is no real answer.”

Emily Ward
e.e.ward@student.tcu.edu