During this emergency and even after the ice jam/flood are long past and cleanup is well underway, one still may experience significant short- and long-term emotional effects. Our recovery efforts must recognize this fact. Loss of a home or a job, coupled with other life stresses may cause emotional injury that we must try to heal as we continue our efforts to help those affected, recover.
The initial trauma may be over, but the hard work of rebuilding your sense of normalcy and security may be just beginning.
No one who sees or witnesses a disaster is untouched by it and we need to understand that grief, sadness, shock and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event like this ice jam and flood. It's important for individuals and families to take steps to promote their physical and emotional healing. Talk about what you are feeling with family and friends.
Stress caused by a disaster can sneak up on you, often appearing weeks or months following the initial trauma. Stress is often displayed in subtle but distressing behavior and emotions. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable to stress after a disaster and may require special considerations.
Many of us are likely to experience at least one of several emotional responses that affect health, emotions, and behavior.
Some emotional signs of stress include:
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things;
- Difficulty making decisions;
- Replaying the events and circumstances of the ice jam and flooding over and over in your mind;
- Feeling depressed, sad or down much of the time;
- Experiencing anxiety, anger or fear, especially when things remind you of the disaster;
- Nightmares;
- Having trouble sleeping;
- Increasing use of substances; and
- Feeling overwhelmed.
Some physical signs of stress are fatigue, chest pain and rapid heart beat.
Some behavioral signs of stress are withdrawal and isolation, even from your family and friends; restlessness; emotional outbursts and being easily startled.
Mental health experts suggest a number of ways to relieve symptoms of stress following a disaster:
- Friends and family are good medicine. Talk with them about your feelings. Sharing common experiences helps overcome anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
- Get back into your daily routines as soon as you can.
- Maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.
- Get some physical exercise every day. Walking is a great stress reliever and you can do it with a friend or relative.
Watch out for problems that are more than you can handle. If signs of stress are serious or if they persist, you should consider seeing a counselor or other mental health professional.
For more information or referral, contact:
Interlock for short term individual or family counselling, or crisis line calls 1 800 663 9099 and for 24 hr 1 800 324 9988
For information on stress management sessions and support groups soon to be developed call Heleen Sandvik at 561-7640.