Crash may take a psychological toll

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Workers headed back to the Echelon complex Friday - and the gaping hole in the side of Building 1 is a stunning reminder of Thursday's tragic plane crash by a man who apparently targeted the IRS in that building.

Most often, our first response to traumatic events is fear. Mark Warr, a UT professor of sociology, says once the threat is no longer random, fear fades.

"When it becomes clear that these people have specific motivations that limit the risk to somebody who’s not us, then most people listen, think about it, and move on," said Mark Warr, UT Professor of Sociology.

For the hundreds of survivors, experts say the hardest part is still to come. Dr. Lowell McRoberts, a Seton Family of Hospitals psychiatrist, says dealing with traumatic events so close can take a toll especially on witnesses, first responders and even those who had a loved one involved.

When bad things happen, McRoberts said it's how people act after the fact that can spell trouble.

"If when you're trying to respond to something bad, you're not able to get up and go to work in the morning, if you're yelling at your spouse, if you're yelling at your kids, if you just don't want to get up and do your homework, or you can't do anything to leave the house,” said Dr. Lowell McRoberts. “That's a sign that something may be wrong."

McRoberts says talking may be the best medicine in order to process sights and sounds that can be haunting.

"So the response is going to be to try and talk with people about the normal response people have to something like this,” said McRoberts. “And if what people are feeling is different from what a normal response should be what are some ways we can help process that or deal with that."

Seton Shoal Creek Hospita l at 3501 Mills Avenue is offering Trauma Debriefings for anyone directly or indirectly affected by the plane crash. You don't need an appointment.

Here are the sessions:

• Friday, Feb. 19 - 12 noon - 4:00 pm
• Monday, Feb. 22 - 12 noon - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 - 12 noon - 4:00 pm

For more information call Seton Shoal Creek Hospital at 324-2000.