Centerville psychologist says people are sad, angry, and fearful over Capitol Hill riot

Images of a riotous mob descending on Capitol Hill are stirring up a range of emotions for people in the Miami Valley.

“I would argue that some of the images we’re seeing, some of the violence, it is traumatic,” Dr. Meredith Glick Brinegar, a Centerville psychologist said.

She explained the difference between this attack and 9/11.

“That felt a little more straightforward maybe, to kind of rally together against a common enemy,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

However, the January 6th riot in Washington D.C. was different.

“I think it’s more challenging when some of the violence came from our own country, from our own people,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

She added, this difference is something Americans have to acknowledge.

“I hear a lot of people saying ‘this isn’t America.’ Well partly, it is America, or some part of America,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

She said people are feeling sadness, anger, and fear in response to the riot, and explained it has been a topic of conversation with all of her clients since Wednesday.

Dr. Glick Brinegar said getting involved can help people feel in control.

“Maybe in communicating to our representatives, to getting involved locally, whether it’s in politics or just in community organizations that are consistent with the things that we value and the things that we want to see happen in our society,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

This is something Gov. Mike DeWine stressed during his Thursday briefing, when he told Ohioans if they want to see change, to use our government to make it happen.

“We’re always trying to make things better. That’s the vibrancy of this country. That’s the passion of this country,” Gov. DeWine said. “The system is there to work it. You can make change through the process.”

Dr. Glick Brinegar said Americans can use this as an opportunity for good.

“I don’t think the goal is to totally make people feel ok. People are going to feel unsettled. It’s an unsettling time. It’s still evolving. It’s still playing out. And that’s what can prompt change. When people feel unsettled or not happy with the current situation, it can lead to hopefully change for the better,” Dr. Glick Brinegar said.

She recommended limiting how much time people focus on coverage of the controversy. She also suggested trying to listen to a variety of perspectives from credible sources.

Cox Media Group