|
|||
   |
|||
Tips for Coping With Disaster
Suggested Links:
As the events of September 11 become farther behind us on the calendar, many people still find themselves sorting through a variety of emotions and feelings around the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Remaining fears of future attacks, as well as military responses, are in our minds as well.
"Actually, as we get farther out, we may see more changes in ourselves, as the situation starts to become more entrenched and more real, rather than just images on TV," says Steven E. Shaw, M.D., Medical Director of Child Psychiatry Services at the John Muir Behavioral Health Center, part of John Muir Health.
"What we are going through is really quite like the grief process — this time, for a perceived loss of our innocence, or our way of life. First, there is denial. Then, anger. Then comes the acceptance phase, when we say, 'this is how we are going to need to deal with this.' There can still be depression. Typically, you'll move through all of these phases, with subtle shifts," he says.
Dr. Shaw notes that experiencing such serious, traumatic events -- ones that people would not normally experience — affects people differently.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
At the extreme end of the scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can occur, especially for those who were directly affected by or were close to the events. A condition marked by intense fear and helplessness, PTSD is a protective response of the brain that affects adults and children.
Symptoms can manifest themselves immediately following the event or weeks, months or years later.
A person's risk is determined by a number of factors, including the response to the event at the time it occurs, intensity of the memory of the event, coping style, personality, past life experiences, and feelings of safety and support.
Symptoms of PTSD can be emotional and physical. Emotional symptoms manifest themselves as people relive the event through vivid dreams, recall painful memories, or develop a belief that the event is happening at the present time. The result can be emotional numbness and guilt. Physical symptoms may include extreme anxiety, panic, sweating, feelings of intense fear and difficulty sleeping.
More Common Anxieties and Concerns
Even without PTSD, people can have a variety of similar symptoms, usually to a lesser degree. Anyone can have strong reactions to what has happened.
Some of the changes Dr. Shaw has noted recently in both young and adult patients include more difficulty sleeping, or getting calmed down to go to sleep. Some are having a hard time with racing thoughts, not being able to stop going over information in their minds.
Typical symptoms for many other people, whether adults or children, include:
- A change in sleep patterns
- A change in appetite, decreased or increased
- Subtle changes in normal reactions, such as being more irritable, or more emotionally sensitive than before
Concerns About Children
"We have a tendency to expect that children will be affected. But for many in California, the events in New York and Washington, D.C. have been so far away that it can be hard for them to really conceptualize what has happened," Dr. Shaw points out.
Still, even most young children know that serious things are going on, and they are aware of changes in adult behavior. If you notice children showing emotional changes, such as becoming angry or tearful more easily, it may be important to help them sort out and verbalize their thoughts.
"You might say, 'there's been a lot of bad stuff going on in the world, and it's making me feel strange and uncomfortable. Is it making you feel that way, too?' " suggests Dr. Shaw. "Give them the opportunity to feel better by talking about it."
He notes that shielding children from images is a natural reaction from parents. "The real pictures have been horrible and frightening even to adults," he says. "Kids have wonderful imaginations, and they may build on what they see — it can become too intense. We don't want children under ten sitting and watching the most graphic imagery on TV, especially by themselves. But they should understand the basics of what is going on."
Overall, he says, what children need to hear during this stressful period is that their parents are there and will keep them safe.
How Best to Help Ourselves and Others
Dr. Shaw offers these general tips:
- It's important to talk about what has happened. Allow it to be part of the dialogue — that offers a way of understanding and working through the situation. Network with family and friends.
- Stay away from extremes of reaction, such as hatefulness. And shield children from this type of reaction.
- Take care of your physical self. Try to stay with your usual routine, at home and at work. Eat and rest at the normal times, and don't let yourself get too overwhelmed or off schedule.
- Some people turn to alcohol and other drugs as a means of dulling reality. This is not going to help, and may well make matters worse.
Coping with disaster is never easy. At times like this, strengthening ties with friends and family, and maintaining a sense of community can be very important. If you feel overwhelmed, or are experiencing extreme symptoms of grief, depression, anger or stress, be sure to reach out to your physician or other health professional without delay.
This information on coping with disaster is brought to you by John Muir Health and Healthvision as a service to the community.