DISASTERS AND FEELINGS

 

Disaster Psychology is a relatively new scientific discipline which focuses on the crisis intervention and stress reduction for survivors. It enables humans to understand the lingering trauma and mental wounds of men, women and children, which might otherwise go unrecognized. It includes refugees and survivors of torture, terrorism, genocide attempts, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunami, and other manmade or natural disasters.

But, even today, psychological reactions to catastrophes have not received sufficient attention, perhaps, because it is widely believed that human beings can endure any kind of extreme stress... Separation from family, loss of all belongings and displacement provoke reactions merely somatic or sentimental (phobias, mistrust of strangers, life threat, feelings of hopelessness, personality disorders, mental illness, memory and concentration problems, amnesia, horror and nightmares) and long-term (for example, high rates of accidents or various forms of addiction).

The common traumatic stress reactions are grouped into four main categories, which include: (1) the emotional reactions (Anxiety and/or fear - Guilt - Grief and/or depression - Anger), (2) the cognitive reactions (Nightmares - Confusion and/or disorientation - Difficulty concentrating), (3) the physical reactions (Nausea and/or upset stomach - Dizziness - Headache - Restlessness - Difficulty sleeping) and (4) the interpersonal effects (Avoidance and/or withdrawing - Emotional outbursts - Erratic behaviour).      

Disasters are more likely to bring out the best in the majority of people; social alienation vanishes, and human solidarity arises during the first phase after catastrophe. Then, humans try to survive and adapt, by adopting behavioral strategies. Many people today believe that Nature ‘’can heal itself’’ after any kind of disturbance. But unfortunately, there are limits even in Nature. 

Psychological effects of disasters on children 

Help your children cope with disasters

Welcome to ready kids! 

Children and disasters by the Natural Hazards Center


Furthermore, all life suffers. We shall not forget, also, pets and animals.

Make a disaster plan for yor pets

Disaster Preparedness

Pets and disasters