9/11 Dreams Study Suggests TV Coverage Boosted Stress

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Propper's study found that 9/11-specific imagery in dreams was gradually replaced by less specific, less stressful images as people spent more time discussing the attacks with family or friends.

That finding made sense to Hilfer.

Psychologists "are always talking about people being able to share stress -- coming into therapists, talking about terribly stressful events in their own lives, and leaving saying, 'Gee, I feel better,' " he noted. "Nothing concrete may have been solved, but the act of sharing one's story and concerns -- having someone else be a listener to it -- often reduces stress."

More information

For more on understanding anxiety, visit the American Psychological Association.