Red pencil circle around Disaster Recovery text
Coping with Disasters
Physical and emotional reactions often occur as a result of a natural emergency or traumatic event. These reactions may happen immediately or weeks or months after an event. Traumatic stress reactions can happen to people of any age and can change a person’s behavior, thoughts and physical health.
Common Responses
The physical effects caused by a traumatic event include: rapid heartbeat; increased respiratory rate; shortness of breath; shortness of breath; nausea; muscle and joint aches; tremors; and headaches.
Seek medical attention if any of these symptoms persist.
Thoughts, behaviors and emotions may also change. These changes include:
Flashbacks or re-experiencing the event. Withdrawal from normal social relations. Performance problems at work or school.
Loss or increase in appetite.
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares. Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or numb.
Being extremely anxious, fearful, agitated or irritable.
Feeling depressed.
Increased consumption of alcohol, prescribed, or over the counter or illicit drugs.
What You Can Do For Yourself
There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events.
Understand your symptoms may be normal, especially right after the trauma.
Find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.
Turn to family, friends, and clergy for support, and talk about your feelings with them.
Participate in leisure and recreational activities (exercise may help as well).
Recognize that you cannot control everything.
Recognize the need for trained help and call a local mental health center.
What You Can Do for Your Child
Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens.
Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts without making judgements.
Return to daily routines.