"He refused to sleep on Sunday, saying he was worried about his forthcoming examinations, but confided to his mother the next morning that he was worried that terrorists would come and attack us," Gopalakrishnan said.

Mohit, a Taj employee trapped in the hotel who lost one of his colleagues, said not talking about it was helping.

"I have been asked to talk about my experience and his death so many times ... but every time I talk about it, it all comes rushing back to me. Please don't ask me to relive the nightmare again," he said, and declined to give his second name.

Some people are turning to social networks, or organising and participating in protests and vigils as a way of coping.

Numerous candlelight vigils and protests have been held around Mumbai, with residents remembering victims and expressing anger at political inaction, apparent intelligence lapses and slow reaction by security forces.

A countrywide protest to express "anguish and anger" was planned for Wednesday, according to e-mail and text messages circulating around the city.

The Art of Living Foundation, a spiritual outfit that focuses on meditation and rhythmic breathing, is offering a three-day trauma relief workshop for a ‘calmer state of mind’.