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. By far the majority of our "guests" were a stalwart group. In particular I met and talked with a man, about my own age (older rather than younger), who worked as a maintenance man in the courthouse complex in New Orleans. We started the conversation with him teaching me the best way to eat MREs (meals ready to eat)-which menus were the best, how to mix the gravy with the meat, and the best way to open the cheese packets. He had been through Katrina and decided that had been enough; so when the mayor of New Orleans had urged people to evacuate he took him up on it. Even though my new friend was coping I saw that he was also unhappy. Who wouldn't be given his situation? Disasters are an all too common experience nowadays.
You know, natural disasters such as hurricanes can have a huge impact on those who survive them. People usually have strong emotional reactions to these situations. Common responses immediately following the event are denial and shock. Feeling overwhelmed or numb is also common. In the weeks and months following the disaster, people may begin to have varied reactions. All of the following are common reactions to trauma, but everyone is different, so remember to take that into consideration when evaluating yours or a friend's emotional reactions.
*Feelings may become intense, even to the point of having mood swings. Some people become irritable or overly emotional. Feelings such as anxiety and guilt have been reported in many people in the wake of a disaster.
*Behaviors and thoughts are expected to be affected by the disaster. Many people have recurring vivid memories of the disaster, known as flashbacks. Sometimes flashbacks are triggered by images or sounds that bring back memories of the event. Some people have difficulty concentrating, eating, and sleeping.
*Relationships with friends and family may become strained as the survivor goes through this cycle of intense emotions. Some people experience more conflict with loved ones, while others tend to become withdrawn and quiet when around friends and family.
*It is becoming increasingly common for people to experience physical symptoms in response to stress or trauma. Headaches, stomach aches, and rapid heartbeat can take the place of strong emotions about the event or can accompany a person's emotions.
Now that you know about these reactions, you may be thinking, "Ok, how can I cope with all this?" There are several ways to help yourself or a loved one heal emotionally after a disaster. First of all, be patient. Give yourself time to experience these emotions and expect that things will not go back to normal overnight. Let yourself experience emotions and try to deal with them as they come. If you feel like you are alone in this, ask for support from your family and friends or try to find support groups of people who have experienced the same thing. Talking with others about your traumatic experience can help lift a heavy burden. In addition to communicating your experience to others, try to get into a daily routine. People need to experience some sort of stability after trauma, and routines can help to establish stability in your life. Try to get plenty of sleep and remember to eat healthy. Taking care of your body will ease the stress on your mind. If you try these things and still don't experience any relief, remember that contacting a psychologist or counselor for extra support can be very helpful for those who have experienced a traumatic event. And, finally, remember that when opening the cheese packet in an MRE don't open the whole packet, just tear off one corner--that way it's easier to spread the cheese on your MRE crackers.
