After trauma, distractions can be good -- in moderation

If you want to talk about it, choose a form that feels right. Talk to family, friends or keep a journal. "Emotional disclosure is not a panacea," says James Pennebaker, chairman of the department of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. "If you don't feel you're making progress, there's a good chance it's not working. If you're getting upset, stop writing or talking."

All the while, take care of your physical self by eating well and exercising.

The American Psychological Assn. has an online help center where people who need help coping can click on a specific horror: wildfire, hurricane, tornado, shooting or terrorism.

Group discussions with people who have experienced similar traumas can help, especially for people who have limited social support.

But most of us hold up pretty well. One 2003 study of Israelis who had lived through terrorist attacks found the majority functioning well -- even maintaining their optimism.

"Most people end up being resilient," says Mark Seery, psychologist at the University of Buffalo. "They're not supermen and superwomen. Resilience is not a rarity."

But don't be embarrassed if you're among the people who need to get professional psychological help.

About 5% of people in the Israeli study reported needing professional help. Some signs that a person may not be coping well with tragedy are an increase in drug or alcohol use or abuse, or thoughts or emotions that get in the way of everyday responsibilities.

susan.brink@latimes.com