Blackout's Emotional Toll

Thursday night, many of New York City's emergency rooms were filled to capacity. Patients experienced symptoms ranging from heat exhaustion to anxiety attacks.

When the power first went out, many people immediately feared the worst- that the nation was once again under attack from terrorists. These kinds of emotions are much more common in the post Sept. 11 world. But are they healthy?

Rachel Yehuda, a psychiatrist and director of traumatic studies division at Mount Sinai Hospital tells The Early Show co-anchor Rene Syler it is good to be alert to all possibilities.

She says, "I think that most people immediately wonder whether this could be an act of terrorism. It's a good thing to have that thought cross your mind and then try to get information to see whether or not you need to do something about it. It's probably a bad thing to continue to think this is terrorism, even if you're reassured that it is not."

To avoid being paralyzed by fear of being under a terrorist attack, Yehuda recommends being prepared.

She says, "After 9/11, I think what we've all learned to do is try to think about these scenarios. What would we do if something happened like it did on 9/11? This event is a little bit different, but still hopefully we've practiced with our loved ones and our family members what would we do if we couldn't get home from work one day or if the lights went out or if somehow the transportation systems were down. And hopefully having some sense of being prepared will help us know better what the emergency situation is."

Asked if she was surprised by the way people reacted in New York City to the blackout, Yehuda says, "No. Not after 9/11. No. I think that's what New Yorkers do. I was out last night and saw quite a bit of people just trying to be helpful. People giving others a lift, particularly helping disabled people in wheelchairs or things like that. We live in a society and community where we are going to help each other."