Coping with Disaster
You should be aware of the signs that indicate a person needs help coping with the stress of a disaster event.
- Important things to remember when trying to understand a disaster event: " No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it
- It is normal for persons to feel anxious about their own safety as well as that of their friends and family
- Profound sadness, grief and anger are normal reactions
- Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover
- Focusing on your strengths and abilities will also help you recover
- We each have different ways of coping with stress after a disaster
- Some signs indicating that adults may need crisis or stress management counselling are:
- Difficulty communicating thoughts
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Easily frustrated
- Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
- Very short/limited attention span
- Poor work performance
- Headaches and/or stomach problems
- Tunnel vision and/or muffled hearing
- Colds or flu-like symptoms
- Disorientation or confusion
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Depression and/or sadness
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Mood-swings and crying easily
- Guilt and self-doubt
- Some ways to ease disaster related stress:
- Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow, etc. -- even though it may be difficult
- Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress
- Don't hold yourself responsible for the disaster event or get frustrated because you cannot directly assist in the recovery work
- Stay active in your daily routine to help promote your own physical and emotional healing (e.g. healthy eating, exercise, rest, relaxation)
- Spend time with family and friends