Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business or personal property.
Children, senior citizens, people with access or functional needs, and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk. Children may become afraid, and some elderly people may seem disoriented at first. People with access or functional needs may require additional assistance. Seek crisis counseling if you or someone in your family is experiencing issues with disaster-related stress.
Understand disaster events
Everyone who sees or experiences a disaster is affected by it in some way.
It is common to feel anxious about your own safety and that of your family and close friends.
Profound sadness, grief and anger are typical reactions to an abnormal event.
Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover.
Focusing on your strengths and abilities helps you heal.
Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
Everyone has different needs and different ways of coping.
It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain.
Children and older adults are of special concern in the aftermath of disasters. Even individuals who experience a disaster “secondhand” through exposure to extensive media coverage can be affected.
Contact local faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, or professional counselors for counseling. Additionally, FEMA and state and local governments of the affected area may provide crisis counseling assistance.
As you recover, it is a good idea to ensure you have updated your family disaster plan and replenished essential disaster supplies just in case a disaster happens again. You will always feel better knowing that you are prepared and ready for anything.
Signs of disaster-related stress
Seek counseling if you or a family member are experiencing disaster-related stress.
Recognize signs of disaster-related stress
When adults have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or stress management assistance:
Difficulty communicating thoughts
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives
Low threshold of frustration
Increased use of drugs/alcohol
Limited attention span
Poor work performance
Headaches/stomach problems
Tunnel vision/muffled hearing
Cold or flu-like symptoms
Disorientation or confusion
Difficulty concentrating
Reluctance to leave home
Depression, sadness
Feelings of hopelessness
Mood swings and easy bouts of crying
Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt
Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone
Easing stress
The following are ways to ease disaster-related stress:
Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow and other emotions - even though it may be difficult
Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress
Do not hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel you cannot help directly in the rescue work
Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation and meditation
Maintain a regular family and daily routine, limiting demanding responsibilities on yourself and your family
Spend time with family and friends
Participate in memorials
Use existing support groups of family, friends and religious institutions
Ensure you are ready for future events by restocking your disaster supplies kits and updating your family disaster plan. Doing these positive actions can be comforting.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
