劫后余生

COPING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF A DISASTER

People have lost loved ones, and many more members of the community have shared their sense of loss and the shock that resulted from this event.

Some people may be living in very difficult circumstances. This disruption and dislocation only adds to the stress of the loss and the disaster itself. Your future may be uncertain. You may have financial concerns and feel that things will never be “normal” again.

You are living through experiences that can be emotionally traumatic. They would challenge anyone\'s ability to cope. As this disaster recovery continues, the experience will challenge even more everyone\'s coping skills and emotions.

Below are some reactions common to people who experience traumatic stress. Although these thoughts, feelings, and actions can be very upsetting, it is important to remember that they are common reactions to an extraordinary and very stressful situation.

Thoughts

Recurring dreams or nightmares about the event and its aftermath.

Reconstructing in your mind the events surrounding the event itself or the damage, in an effort to make it come out differently.

Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

Questioning your spiritual or religious beliefs.

Repeated thoughts or memories (of loved ones who have died, or of the event itself or the damage which resulted from the event) that are hard to stop.

Feelings

Feeling numb, withdrawn, or disconnected.

Feeling frightened or anxious when things like the sound of a heavy truck or particular smells remind you of the event.

Feeling a lack of involvement or enjoyment in everyday activities.

Feeling depressed, blue, or down much of the time.

Feeling bursts of anger, or intense irritability.

Feeling a sense of emptiness or hopelessness about the future.

Behaviors

Being overprotective of your own and your family\'s safety.

Isolating yourself from others.

Becoming very alert at times, and startling easily.

Having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep.