How Our Brains Filter the Final Fate of Osama Bin Laden

Online, May 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Former President Bill Clinton called the killing of Osama bin Laden "...a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaida's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children."

Dr. Srini Pillay wholeheartedly echoes the sentiments of former President Clinton but cautions against making assumptions about the psychology of the nation and the rest of the world. "Despite the tremendous relief that so many feel about Osama bin Laden's death in Pakistan, the fear that bin Laden's actions have instilled in people is not destined to just disappear," says Dr. Pillay.
Dr. Pillay is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a brain-imaging researcher of fear and anxiety. He is the author of Life Unlocked: 7 Revolutionary Lessons to Overcome Fear (Rodale, 2011)-a 2010 motivational award winner in the Books for a Better Life competition and a Men's Journal pick for top 5 best health books of the year-, and was featured in a cover story on anger in the March 2011 issue of Elle magazine. He is regarded as an international expert on stress, fear and anxiety, and is able to help us understand several aspects of the news of Osama bin Laden's death as it reverberates around the world.

Some of Dr. Pillay's counterintuitive insights include the following:

The fear that bin Laden instilled in millions of people all over the world has actually biologically conditioned our brains to still be reactive to any reminders of 9/11. Research shows that even when fear leaves us, the habit brain dredges up past memories with the slightest provocation.

When an event like this occurs, the brain first goes into "relief" mode but often boomerangs back with the full force of anticipatory anxiety. "If we let our guards down, we will make ourselves more vulnerable to the person who replaces him...what if this all makes al- Qaeda even more insane?" Such fears are still roaming around in people's brains.

President Obama's proclamation-"The world is safer. It is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden"-was premature and not necessarily true. The world may be a better place for not having a terrorist leader around, but the influence of a terrorist leader is widespread, and to assume safety is negligent and misleading. It is still important for us to notice suspicious activity and to be careful about our borders.

Conflicting emotions-such as relief and anxiety-sometimes cause our brains to become confused and even simply to stop processing information. "9/11 was partly about not being prepared. It is important not to reactivate this psychology," he says.

Celebrate in Context: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated: "Our message to the Taliban remains the same, but today it may have even greater resonance: You cannot wait us out. You cannot defeat us." Dr. Pillay believes that Americans should be proud of our relentless pursuit of justice. However, while in confusion, it would be good to set aside time to celebrate this news without losing sight of the importance of maintaining vigilance.

Stay in treatment: Dr Pillay cautions that some people deeply affected by 9/11 may feel guilty that their fears have not completely abated. He advises: if you are still in treatment for PTSD due to 9/11 or suffer severe anxiety related to terror, treatment must go on as usual. And if you notice that things have worsened, this may be expected.

For more information on Dr. Pillay, log on to: http://www.neurobusinessgroup.com/

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