MANAGERS’ FORUM

The Anniversary Effect

With September 11^th just around the corner, preparations are underway for remembering the unprecedented tragedies that took place in NYC, Washington and Pennsylvania and memorializing those who were lost.

Ripples of anguish have touched many of us in the wake of those tragedies. Equally powerful is the "Anniversary Effect" many experience in the years following significant trauma and loss. The anniversary of a traumatic event or loss often hits like an unexpected wave, overwhelming and flooding those touched by the incident with unexplained increases in sadness, anger and agitation.

As managers, it is important to be aware of the potential impact the anniversary of September 11th may have on those you work with. Often, the pressures and desires to move on from tragedy and get back to work motivate people to seal over, effectively blocking off the upset and grief associated with tragedy. The Anniversary Effect is notorious for its ability to catch people off guard, just when they feel they are "over it", often causing them to feel in the grips of despair without any identifiable reason. People caught by the Anniversary Effect may feel out of control and confused by a sudden change in how they are feeling or acting.

The following symptoms, when unexplained by other circumstances may suggest effects brought on by the anniversary of a traumatic event or loss.

Changes in eating or sleeping
Weepiness
Increase in anxiety or edginess
Fatigue
Jumpiness
Numbness
Increase fear or agitation

In addition to heightening employees’ awareness about the impact of anniversaries on trauma and loss survivors, it is important to provide a work environment in which employees are free from re-traumatization through frequent exposure to explicit images of the events. A recent study published in the Journal o f the American Medical Association, The National Study of Americans’ Response to September 11th, suggests a possible connection between the level of exposure to traumatic events via media coverage and the degree to which viewers experience trauma symptoms. Though the study is careful to not draw absolute conclusions about the effect of media exposure on trauma, we definitely notice that employees benefit from conservative as opposed to constant doses TV and radio coverage of tragic events; and that some employees become particularly agitated by the exposure.

When dealing with the anniversary effect the first step is to recognize the symptoms as related to the anniversary of a significant event or loss. Recognition of the anniversary will make it easier to allow oneself to deal with the trauma and/or grief.

A manager who notices changes in the behavior or mood of a staff member around the anniversary of September 11^th is wise to address the changes with an added measure of sensitivity. It is often a good idea to alert employees ahead of time of possible connections between changes in mood and behavior and the anniversary of September 11^th and to provide the individuals who need to talk or take a short break the opportunity to do so. Offering a referral to the EAP is a good way to provide an employee the support and assistance they may need.

CMG Associates, Inc.

800.444.7262