Doctor: "There Is A Psychological Effect" To Recent Gun Violence
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — From shock to sadness to outrage, much of America and South Florida is awash with emotion following the sniper slayings of five Dallas police officers during a protest march. Observers in the trenches say everyone handles the pain differently.
CBS4's Michele Gillen hit the streets to find out how some folks are coping with the recent stream of events; bloodshed, chaos, confusion and loss of life.
Roxane Bellamy told Michele she feels more anxiety than normal.
"I definitely do. I think with the anxiety I definitely have to pray and talk with my children."
Arthur Green feels the same way.
"What I saw on television was just egregious and didn't sit well with me at all."
After back-to-back violent incidents, many folks say they feel anxious and some may be clinically correct.
"There is a psychological effect. There is a constant level of anxiety and panic for some that have swept across the country. It is affecting people's mood and it is affecting how they live their lives. There is a constant state of vigilance," explained Psychiatrist Daniel Bober. "The police officers themselves who are supposed to protect us, they themselves have become the target, so who do we turn to for help? That is just an awful feeling. It is a terrible sense of hopelessness and a loss of control."
Dr. Bober says for some, recent events fuel concerns that can manifest physically and be transmitted to your children.
"It makes me worry a little bit. If they are not with me. If they are alone. How to handle a situation if an officer approaches them. It is sad that we have to feel that way," said Najwa Sakr.
Dr. Bober agrees.
"I do worry about the effect this has on children. As there are so many outlets for children to get the information."
Tony Lima, a leader of the LGBTQ community doesn't want to sit by and do nothing. He wants action.
"We turn that sense of helplessness around by taking action as a community. There is this huge issue of intolerance and all that will change with further action and education and banning together for change and humanity."
For some, action is the way to cope but for others, they've had and heard enough.
"I just don't even watch the news anymore. I just don't want to know," said Linda Ryan.
