As the list of victims of the South Asian earthquake and tsunami
grows to an estimated 150,000 individuals, it is crucial for rescue
workers who continue to search, survivors that begin to rebuild
their homes, and those following news coverage of the event to take
the time to recognize and cope with the shock and stress of the
aftermath, in order to minimize future mental health problems, UCLA
psychologists say.
Survivors who dealt with the initial trauma of the tsunami are
now faced with the grief and adversity of the aftermath. Dr. Alan
Steinberg, of the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, said
post traumatic reactions to witnessing death and devastation are
considered normal.
Reactions can be expressed internally; meaning the person
re-experiences the event as a flashback.
Other reactions include hyper-vigilance and withdrawal from
friends and family.
If reactions to trauma continue in the person for more than a
month, it forms the more serious and debilitating post-traumatic
stress disorder. Individuals who have the disorder may exhibit the
afore mentioned signs as well as self-destructive behaviors such as
excessive alcohol and drug use or suicide attempts, Steinberg
said.
The long term impact is a risk of mass depression over time.
“As adversities mount up, people become demoralized,”
Steinberg said. This adds to the risk of developing mental
disorders.
According to the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress, the
effect of traumatic stress on mental health has the most impact on
children who have had less experience with coping. It also has more
serious effects in individuals situated closest to the actual
disaster, and is twice as likely to occur in females ““ 10.5
percent ““ than in males ““ 5 percent.
If the inability to cope is recognized in an individual,
psychotherapy or other counseling methods can be effective in
treating the individual. According to the National Mental Health
Association Web site, psychotherapy involves helping the survivor
to manage the symptoms and to develop ways of coping.
The National Center for Child Traumatic Stress has been working
on developing public mental health programs to help individuals
cope with natural disasters such as the tsunami.
“After meeting initial needs for shelter and medical care,
those regions need an effective mental health recovery
program,” Steinberg said.
An important place to focus on, Steinberg said, is making sure
school is started to establish a routine for children and to
distract them from what’s going on.
Organizations such as UNICEF have plans to implement
psychosocial programs in the affected areas to help individuals
cope. “Recovery means rebuilding communities and providing
help through clinics and this takes a good amount of reaching
out,” Steinberg said.