Natural Disasters:

A Resource for Coping Families

   Reactions to a natural disaster differ from person to person. An event that may seem “unsettling” to one person can be felt as “traumatic” to another. This can also depend on the degree to which a family was affected. A family who was evacuated or experienced a loss due to the disaster will have more extreme reactions. Fortunately, most families that experience a natural disaster survive without developing any severe emotional problems.

 

Common reactions after a disaster may include:

 Profound feelings of sadness, grief, disbelief, and anger, emotional numbing, sleep disturbances or nightmares, depressed feelings, anxiety, forgetfulness, hyper vigilance, loss of hope, social with drawl, family conflict, increased use of alcohol and drugs, and difficulty functioning at school or work. These symptoms usually subside over time.

 

Possible Emotional Complications

Acute Stress Disorder may develop within the first month after a disaster and can last for two days to four weeks. Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is similar to Acute stress Disorder but develops weeks to months after the disaster. People suffering from either disorder may continue to experience the above symptoms as well as persistent nightmares or flashbacks. Individuals may also develop Clinical Depression. Depression is more than feeling “down” or “blue”. Depression can be severe impacting all areas of a person’s life.  It can impact their academics, social life, family relations etc. Depression can develop either suddenly or gradually and the affects can be brief or long-term. There are also different levels of depression.  It is experienced uniquely with each individual.  Please seek professional help if you or your loved one seems to have developed any of these problems.

 

Common Reactions of Children may include:

Children of all ages may seem anxious and express fear about future disasters. They may ask a lot of repetitive questions as they try to process and understand what has happened. It is not uncommon to see regression in their behavior.

Preschoolers: may suck their thumbs, cling to parents, have daytime or bed wetting, constipation, fear of darkness, and may even experience night terrors.

Elementary Aged Children: may increase “acting-out” behavior at home and school, be irritable, whine, have nightmares, increase rivalry with siblings, become needy for attention, they may withdraw from others and have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork.

Pre-teen and Teenagers: may be irritable and irresponsible, experience sleep disturbances, refuse to do school or home work, may have an increase or decrease in their appetite, experience stomach aches or headaches, problems concentrating, nightmares, and  may lose interest in typical activities.

These behaviors should decrease in time. If your child or adolescent does not seem to get better after several weeks and seems to have trouble functioning at home or school, seek professional help. They too could develop Depression or Anxiety.

 

How to Care For Yourself and Your Family

·         Be patient with yourself and your children. When you have been through a traumatic event you will need to expect some difficult feelings and behaviors from everyone. Arguing and fighting will happen. Try to keep things calm and supportive. Keep your routines consistent if you can. Validate and accept all feelings. Help kids focus on the positives (your safety, the importance of family, the real definition of a home, your blessings, the support you received from friends, family, and the community, etc.)

 

·         Keep talking! After a traumatic event it is important to share what you saw, how you felt, what you experienced. This allows your brain to process these difficult feelings and thoughts. You are less likely to experience flashback or nightmares if you talk to others about what you experienced. You may also want to process your feelings in a journal. Children may need to express themselves through artwork or play enactment.  However, constant focus on the disaster can be overwhelming to your mind and body. Take time to enjoy relationships, focus on your work, read, pray, get plenty of sleep, exercise and try some deep breathing.  Your mind and body are under a lot of stress and it is important to find healthy outlets.

 

·         Find Support. Allow others to lend a hand during this difficult time. If family or friends can help lighten the load right now take advantage of this!  Rely on your community or church help. Seek spiritual guidance.

 

·         Hug your children! Kids need physical touch when they have been through something traumatic. Play with your kids.  Children use play as a “mini” world to work through their fears and issues. Being present during their play helps them to feel heard and understood. Listen to your older children and teens. Don’t judge, just listen and be there for them. Friends are important to this age. Allow them to spend time hanging out and supporting each other. They need to process this experience with their friends too.

 

·         Seek professional help if needed.  After several weeks, if you or your family is not feeling better, have reoccurring nightmares and flashbacks or seem to have difficulty functioning please seek professional help from a therapist. This is not a sign of weakness. Even if you just need someone to talk to, there are counselors who care and would be happy to meet with you.

 

Wilkins Family Counseling is a private –practice counseling staff in Temecula, CA.

We would like to offer our deepest sympathies if you or a loved one has suffered from the tornado in Oklahoma.  If you or your family would like to schedule an appointment we would be honored to hear your story in a confidential setting and hopefully assist you during this difficult time. God Bless and we look forward to hearing from you.