Article archive / December 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 4. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Lynn Schechter, Baton Rouge psychologist and former Oceanside, New York resident, was interviewed for a USA Today article published on November 17, about the psychological effects on victims of superstorm Sandy.
Dr. Schechter grew up in Oceanside, New York, where she attended public school until age 18. Then she moved to Ithaca to attend Cornell as an undergraduate. She went back to New York City to attend graduate school at Columbia.
Schechter “spent many, many fun times at neighboring Long Beach, which was also devastated by Sandy,” she told the Times.
The USA Today article, written by Laura Petrecca, reported on the emotional struggles of some of the residents of Oceanside. Petrecaa asked Schechter about the stress of the environmental events.
“ ‘You're undergoing a dramatic change in your environment, and that is something that is hard to wrap your head around,”’ Schechter was quoted in the report. “ ‘It really pulls the rug out from under you.’
Some residents of Oceanside have been dealing with stressful living conditions that are not under their control, for over three weeks, the report noted. Schechter explained in the article that that situation can “ratchet up anxiety.”
She noted, “ ‘We all have that illusion that we have control over things, but it is an illusion.”
Dr. Schechter is not new to helping those who have suffered loss and trauma. After the 9-11 attack Schechter provided “… group counseling to individuals who had offices near 9/11 site, as well as individual treatment to those affected by 9-11,” she explained.
Schechter “… also provided counseling services to co-workers who had lost loved ones, at Jacobi Medical Center of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, where I was employed at the time.”
During the aftermath of Katrina, Dr. Schechter “… provided counseling services in emergency shelters as an individual practitioner, and as a volunteer with the Red Cross. I've also provided counseling in shelters to victims of Hurricane Gustav when I worked for the state.”
For the USA Today article, she cautioned, “During a time of such emotional chaos, storm victims may be tempted to isolate themselves, but it's vital to do the opposite,” she was noted to say. And pointed out that high stress levels can be helped by talking, communicating and social connections.
“ ‘Support networks are really important in a time like this,’ ” she told the reporter and also suggested professional assistance for those dealing with extreme emotions.
Dr. Schechter also pointed out that some people might be able to find the positive in their misfortune.
“ ‘There is the potential for them to be transformed in a positive way," she says. ‘It can lead people to appreciate the moment more in life, as well as their family and loved ones. The things that they took for granted before suddenly become much more dear.’ ”
But, the author noted her to also warn that people need to have patience, and most of us are not very patient by nature.
Dr. Lynn Schechter is in private practice in the Baton Rouge area and provides therapeutic services to private clients and recipients of Medicaid.
A view of the damage done by Superstorm Sandy to a beachfront in Long Beach, Long Island, neighboring Oceanside. Dr. Lynn Schechter, a Baton Rouge psychologist, grew up in Ocean- side, NY, and was recently interviewed by USA Today about how people can cope with stress. (Photo courtesy Dr. Schechter.)
Dr. Lynn Schechter with newest addition to her family. (Photo courtesy Dr. Schechter.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.