Post-Traumatic Stress and Surviving Disasters

Disaster survivors often have feelings of extreme stress, guilt, and anxiety.  The trauma and loss can be hard to deal with.  There may be times when this stress level does not go away and maybe even gets worse.  Such cases are called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As many as one-in-three survivors of a disaster have serious stress reactions that may lead to PTSD, severe anxiety or clinical depression.  PTSD symptoms usually do not appear until three months after trauma and may take months, or even years, to surface.  In such cases, it may be difficult to identify the cause of symptoms without professional help.  Symptoms may last six months or longer depending upon the person and treatment received.  Symptoms include:

• Dissociation -- feeling isolated or detached from reality
• Re-experiencing -- uncontrollable flashbacks and nightmares
• Emotional numbing - self-medication and substance abuse
• Hyper arousal -- panic attacks and extreme rage
• Extreme anxiety -- constant fear and paralyzing worry
• Extreme depression -- feeling worthless

When Does PTSD Happen?
Not every disaster survivor experiences PTSD.  Under specific conditions, such as the following, it is more likely:

• Exposure to physical trauma
• Witnessing extremely violent or gruesome situations
• Loss of home, possessions, family
• Extended exposure to danger
• Intense, prolonged emotional demands
• Extreme lack of sleep, food, water and exposure

Some people are more susceptible than others:

• Previous experience of severe trauma
• Chronic medical or psychological issues
• Major life stressors such as single parenting, job loss, homelessness, etc.

Safeguarding Against PTSD
Disaster survivors may lessen chances of severe reaction by taking steps to empower and protect themselves.  The following steps are critical in recovering from trauma:

• Find a safe place that provides shelter, food, sanitation, etc., and get some rest there
• Set immediate, attainable goals to get back in your daily routine
• Get in contact with people you know; this will reduce your stress levels
• Take advantage of emergency programs that provide food, shelter, and basic necessities until you are able to provide for yourself
• Don't think about yesterday or tomorrow; just get through one day at a time

When to Seek Help
If the symptoms worsen over time, or show no signs of improving, seek professional help.  Medication and therapy techniques designed specifically for PTSD are available.

Recovery from any disaster is a slow process.  You have to vent your stress and get back into your daily routine of safety and normalcy.  Should PTSD occur, it is not the end of the road.  Recognizing the dangers of PTSD is the first step in recovering your life.