Crisis Center

How societies and individuals deal with disaster

By John A. Call

Managing Anxiety About Swine Flu

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on April 29, 2009 - 2:50pm in Crisis Center

In previous posts I've talked a lot about preparing for disasters, building resilience, developing a survival attitude, etc. Well now, with the developing swine flu crisis upon us it's time to put all that into practice. Read More

PTSD in the Military: An Interview of a Military Wife

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on January 17, 2009 - 9:37am in Crisis Center

As ever-increasing numbers of soldiers are being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the need to understand this complex and troubling experience grows larger. In order to better understand what soldiers are going through, I interviewed the wife of a veteran who was diagnosed with PTSD. Read More

Holiday Stress: How to Manage It

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on December 3, 2008 - 9:17am in Crisis Center

The holidays are a great time to relax and spend time with family and friends, but many people find themselves being stressed out during this time. Read More

How to Become a Happier Person: Is There a Way?

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on November 15, 2008 - 6:34pm in Crisis Center

Happiness: everyone wants it and most people can't get enough of it. Is there a way to become happier than you are now? Read More

The Truth About Depression

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on November 7, 2008 - 9:39am in Crisis Center

Depression is a disorder in which a person has thoughts of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and/or despair, and these feelings usually interfere with daily life, such as working, eating, or sleeping. These symptoms must persist for at least two weeks to meet the diagnosis for depression. Read More

Posttraumatic Disorder--Temporary or Permanent?

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on October 3, 2008 - 1:19pm in Crisis Center

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that may develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as an assault, rape, car accident, terrorist attack, natural disaster, or military combat. Read More

Multitasking--Efficient or a Waste of Time?

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on September 26, 2008 - 7:56am in Crisis Center

We've all done it. Making breakfast while checking email. Paying bills while having a serious conversation with your significant other. And the most infamous one: driving while talking on a cell phone. It saves time, right? Getting two things done at once is better than just getting one thing done. Or is it? Read More

Common Reactions to Disasters and Ways to Cope with Them

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on September 17, 2008 - 10:33am in Crisis Center

On September 1, Labor Day, as a member of the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps, I spent the day working with about 2,000 Louisianans who had just been bused to Oklahoma City to shelter from Hurricane Gustav. They were sheltering in a huge unused warehouse-the Lucent Technology Center in southwest Oklahoma City. Read More

What to Do Immediately After a Disaster

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on September 12, 2008 - 9:35am in Crisis Center

The topic of disasters is not one people like to think about, but we all need to be prepared to deal with the aftermath of a disaster if ever caught in that situation. There are several things you can do to help restore peace to yourself and your family immediately after a disaster. Read More

The Role of a Psychologist at a Disaster Site

By John A. Call, Ph.D., J.D., A.B.P.P. on August 26, 2008 - 7:31am in Crisis Center

When a disaster happens, disaster sites are set up to assist people with their immediate needs. Psychologists go to these sites to assist people with their emotional needs-to provide Psychological First Aid. They provide help by talking to people and answering questions they may have about their situation. They may also help people understand their emotions and reassure them that their emotions are normal. Specifically, what do psychologists do when they offer support at a disaster site? Here are a few duties they may fulfill: