• On Apr, 01, 2015
•  admin
•  Anxiety, Disaster Recovery, Katrina Giries, News

Germanwings Flight 9525–Making Sense Out of Senseless Acts

On March 24, 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525 descended rapidly to its demise, killing all 150 aboard. In the immediate days following the crash, authorities have been able to deduce that this horrible tragedy was at the hands of the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, who was suffering from depression and may have been on a suicide mission.

Tragedies of this nature are so difficult for most to comprehend let alone process our feelings on such a senseless act. Incredulous questions, shock and anger are just a few of the expected feelings across the globe.

But why is it, for some of us, hearing of a tragedy such as Flight 9525 crashing into the French Alps renew other intense feelings of anxiety, depression and grief? For some, it may reinforce a reoccurring fear of flying and for others, general depression or anxiety in a seemingly chaotic fashion may occur.

The reality is that while our minds are consumed with the senselessness of an intentional plane crash, our hearts connect to our projection of what the passengers experienced and their surviving friends and family members may be feeling. We can all remember a time when we, too, were overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness, panic and grief.

It is quite common for adults to re-experience intense levels of anxiety, which may come from childhood trauma, as a response to a senseless act. If those feelings have not been dealt with, news of an international plane crash, even if we may not know anyone involved, may bring those feelings rushing to the surface. If this happens, we also may be left feeling helpless and powerless over something in our own lives.

If you are experiencing anxiety, depression and/or unresolved grief, the support of a qualified therapist may help you understand why acts like the Germanwings event seem to renew these unresolved feelings.

Katrina Giries, MS is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with specialized training in the treatment of trauma, co-dependency and addiction work. Effective treatment for these and other issues are available in Dallas at Preston Place Counseling. Contact Katrina Giries by emailing Katrina at PrestonPlaceCounseling.com or call (214) 677-4996 for a free phone consultation.