In addition to shock, fear, anger, resentment, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, people across the country still report emotional numbness and trouble concentrating. Tension, fatigue, insomnia, body aches, nightmares or upsetting thoughts and images have all been normal reactions.

In the immediate days following 9/11, polls reported that as many as 71 percent of adult Americans experienced depression, difficulty concentrating, hypersensitivity and sleeplessness. Sales surged for anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants and sleep aids. In April, emotions still ran high. "The mental health needs in the wake of Sept. 11 are seemingly endless," said Jan Holcomb, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Illinois. "For those already struggling with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders and other mental illness, it is particularly difficult to cope with the fear, shock and overpowering emotions of these horrible events, even six months later."

On a personal level, these questions are much like the questions a dying person might ask. How could this happen to me? Why me? We are still assessing the losses. Something has died that is beyond the deaths of our fellow Americans. Our concepts of who we are and what is important in this world have been revised so rapidly that we can hardly keep up.

But while you and I have been feeling scared and intimidated, many folks around the world aren't crying for us. They see 9/11 as a well-deserved comeuppance for a world heavyweight bully. Any of you who have been at the painful end of a bully's tactics know exactly how that feels. When that bully finally came up against someone trickier, stronger or more intimidating and got what he or she deserved, I will bet good money you were dancing in the streets. Understanding the feelings of those who consider us bullies may be part of our "growing up." A clear recognition of our vulnerabilities and awareness of certain worldwide realities is vital to the process of our mental wellness.

Even though such increased sensitivity may be an uncomfortable feeling, I think we are healthier than we were before 9/11. The tragedy and truth of 9/11 brings opportunities for growth. In a society that has often elevated materialism above spirituality and the values of ownership, power and prestige over community-mindedness and a more humane worldview, this may be a chance to reflect on our lifestyle choices and the true meaning of wellness. When it comes to mental wellness, sensitivity is more important than perfect functioning.

It has been said that any time we lose something, a little part of us dies. We have lost a sense of security, and it will never be fixed. It doesn't matter how many border checkpoints we have, how many metal detectors are in place or how many devices and strategies we come up with to protect us, we now know we are vulnerable. We have been reminded.

We have lost a lot. And, maybe only a psychiatrist could say this, but, yes, some of what we lost may be good for us in the long run. A different and more caring perspective may rise out of the ashes of the 9/11 tragedy.

That is my hope, and I am sticking to it.