The
effects of the recent hurricanes will be
long-lasting and the resulting trauma can
reverberate even with those not directly
affected by the disaster. It is common for people
who have experienced traumatic situations to
have very strong emotional reactions.
Understanding normal responses to these abnormal
events can aid you in coping effectively with
your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and help
you along the path to recovery.
How
should I help myself and my family?
Many
people already possess the skills of resilience
and will bounce back on their own, given time.
There also are a number of steps you can take to
help restore emotional well being and a sense of
control following a natural disaster, including
the following:
- Give
yourself time to heal. Anticipate that this will
be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself
to mourn the losses you have experienced. Try to
be patient with changes in your emotional state.
- Ask for
support from people who care about you and who
will listen and empathize with your situation.
But keep in mind that your typical support
system may be weakened if those who are close to
you also have experienced or witnessed the
trauma.
-
Communicate your experience in whatever ways
feel comfortable to you - such as by talking
with family or close friends, or keeping a
diary.
- Find out
about local support groups that often are
available such as for those who have suffered
from natural disasters. These can be especially
helpful for people with limited personal support
systems.
- Try to
find groups led by appropriately trained and
experienced professionals such as psychologists.
Group discussion can help people realize that
other individuals in the same circumstances
often have similar reactions and emotions.
- Engage
in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to
cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced
meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience
ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able
to find some relief through relaxation
techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
-
Establish or reestablish routines such as eating
meals at regular times and following an exercise
program. This can be especially important when
the normal routines of daily life are disrupted.
Even if you are in a shelter and unable to
return home, establish routines that can bring
comfort. Take some time off from the demands of
daily life by pursuing hobbies or other
enjoyable activities.
-Help
those you can. Helping others, even during your
own time of distress, can give you a sense of
control and can make you feel better about
yourself.
- Avoid
major life decisions such as switching careers
or jobs if possible because these activities
tend to be highly stressful.
When
should I seek professional help?
Many
people are able to cope effectively with the
emotional and physical demands brought about by
a natural disaster by using their own support
systems. It is not unusual, however, to find
that serious problems persist and continue to
interfere with daily living. For example, some
may feel overwhelming nervousness or lingering
sadness that adversely affects job performance
and interpersonal relationships.
Individuals with prolonged reactions that
disrupt their daily functioning should consult
with a trained and experienced mental health
professional. Psychologists and other
appropriate mental health providers help educate
people about common responses to extreme stress.
These professionals work with individuals
affected by trauma to help them find
constructive ways of dealing with the emotional
impact.
With
children, continual and aggressive emotional
outbursts, serious problems at school,
preoccupation with the traumatic event,
continued and extreme withdrawal, and other
signs of intense anxiety or emotional
difficulties all point to the need for
professional assistance. A qualified mental
health professional such as a psychologist can
help such children and their parents understand
and deal with thoughts, feelings and behaviors
that result from trauma.
