Some Changing Way They Live In Wake Of Recent Mass Killings
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Lori Brimmage thinks twice now before going to a crowded place.
"You feel unsafe. You just never know, it's sad that it has to come to your mind that you can't go to the public venue without thinking about terrorist acts," she said.
Shannon Smith, a mother, worries about what will happen when she can no longer keep her toddler always within arm's reach.
"Very big fear of mine that you know once he gets older, if this doesn't like resolve, then it's just going to get worse,"
Suzanne Silverstein, who runs Cedars-Sinai Psychological Trauma Center, says those who weren't direct victims of Wednesday's mass shooting in San Bernardino can become "indirect victims of the trauma."
"When you see these mass shootings, it brings up all kinds of free-flowing anxiety. For the adults it's 'Who's living next to me?' 'Can I go in a group?' 'Will I be safe and will my child be safe,' " she said. "You can have symptoms just as if you were there."
Silverstein says the symptoms can be the same as what victims of post-traumatic stress disorder experience.
"As anxious as we are, it's important to try to be as routine and to carry on your life. Not to go and hide in your house," she said.
Those who can't sleep at night, are unable to eat, or experience changes to their routine should seek professional help.