Bahamas News
09-11-04, - 12:31 AM
Advice On Dealing With Hurricane-Related Stress
Candia Dames
The Bahama Journal
10/09/2004
The traumatic effects of Hurricane Frances will be with many Bahamians for many years, Psychiatrist Dr. David Allen said Thursday. “The sad fact is that a serious hurricane leaves people in a state of shock and unspeakable terror,” Dr. Allen said. “This state of terror is so intense that it cannot be expressed in words, but becomes embedded in our body as horrific images associated with hyper arousal, fear, anxiety, anger, insecurity and phobic responses.” He added that memories of a traumatic event trigger distress reactions causing one to avoid places and events that bring memories of the catastrophe. Dr. Allen, who worked in Washington with the victims of the September 11th tragedy, told the Bahama Journal that one third of people experiencing the trauma of a hurricane bounce back to be more resilient, courageous, and creative. Another third are affected more severely and return to a level of functioning somewhat less than before the trauma, he said.
Dr. Allen added that the other third regress to a state of poor functioning and have difficulty coping with their life, both now and in the future. “It is this group that we must work hard to support, encourage and motivate to prevent further catastrophic consequences for them in particular and our country as a whole,” he said. He said children who do not have the cognitive and emotional development to cope with trauma are most vulnerable. “Affected immediately by the trauma, they also tend to internalise the pain of the trauma which continues to victimize them in later life making them less productive, depressed, poorly motivated, and unable to cope with the stresses of life,” Dr. Allen also said. He told the Journal that the post-traumatic effects of a severe hurricane include intrusive symptoms, which include repetitive memories which trigger negative feelings during the trauma.
These appear as flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional and physical distress, but also a loss of autonomy, and a sense of control over one’s life, Dr. Allen said. The effects also include arousal symptoms, which are manifested by hyper arousal feelings (being on the edge), poor concentration, anger, irritability, insomnia, and depression, he said. Avoidance symptoms are also a part of post-traumatic effects, Dr. Allen pointed out, adding that these are manifested by people going out of their way to escape memories and arousal symptoms. Such behaviours include avoiding places, people, and situations, distressing thoughts, emotional numbness, isolation, helplessness, a loss of interest in pleasurable activities (anhedonia) and most sadly the fragmentation of community, he said. But Dr. Allen also said there are ways in which one can deal with these effects. “In times of national disaster, we have to forget our denominational, political, and other differences and come together as one to support each other,” he advised.
In addition, Dr. Allen advised persons feeling stressed as a result of the hurricane to find someone to talk to about what happened during the storm. “Let people talk about their experiences as we listen empathically to them,” he suggested. “This gift of listening to others allows them to empty their heart of their fear and hurt and open to love and gratitude which make them feel safe.” He also advised that you should let your emotions flow free through crying; return to the places of the hurricane and resist all thoughts of avoidance; take control of the things that you can control and forget about trying to control the things beyond your control; return to your daily routine; practice mindful breathing and silence; and read about previous hurricanes that have hit the Bahamas so you would begin to realize that we are not unique in the face of tragedy.
Dr. Allen added that it may also be helpful to keep a “trauma diary.” “It is important for us to write our experiences to help us understand them,” he said. “But most of all, in years to come it is a record for us to realize how fortunate we were and as a result enhance our ability to be more grateful for what happened in our lives.”
Candia Dames
The Bahama Journal
10/09/2004
The traumatic effects of Hurricane Frances will be with many Bahamians for many years, Psychiatrist Dr. David Allen said Thursday. “The sad fact is that a serious hurricane leaves people in a state of shock and unspeakable terror,” Dr. Allen said. “This state of terror is so intense that it cannot be expressed in words, but becomes embedded in our body as horrific images associated with hyper arousal, fear, anxiety, anger, insecurity and phobic responses.” He added that memories of a traumatic event trigger distress reactions causing one to avoid places and events that bring memories of the catastrophe. Dr. Allen, who worked in Washington with the victims of the September 11th tragedy, told the Bahama Journal that one third of people experiencing the trauma of a hurricane bounce back to be more resilient, courageous, and creative. Another third are affected more severely and return to a level of functioning somewhat less than before the trauma, he said.
Dr. Allen added that the other third regress to a state of poor functioning and have difficulty coping with their life, both now and in the future. “It is this group that we must work hard to support, encourage and motivate to prevent further catastrophic consequences for them in particular and our country as a whole,” he said. He said children who do not have the cognitive and emotional development to cope with trauma are most vulnerable. “Affected immediately by the trauma, they also tend to internalise the pain of the trauma which continues to victimize them in later life making them less productive, depressed, poorly motivated, and unable to cope with the stresses of life,” Dr. Allen also said. He told the Journal that the post-traumatic effects of a severe hurricane include intrusive symptoms, which include repetitive memories which trigger negative feelings during the trauma.
These appear as flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional and physical distress, but also a loss of autonomy, and a sense of control over one’s life, Dr. Allen said. The effects also include arousal symptoms, which are manifested by hyper arousal feelings (being on the edge), poor concentration, anger, irritability, insomnia, and depression, he said. Avoidance symptoms are also a part of post-traumatic effects, Dr. Allen pointed out, adding that these are manifested by people going out of their way to escape memories and arousal symptoms. Such behaviours include avoiding places, people, and situations, distressing thoughts, emotional numbness, isolation, helplessness, a loss of interest in pleasurable activities (anhedonia) and most sadly the fragmentation of community, he said. But Dr. Allen also said there are ways in which one can deal with these effects. “In times of national disaster, we have to forget our denominational, political, and other differences and come together as one to support each other,” he advised.
In addition, Dr. Allen advised persons feeling stressed as a result of the hurricane to find someone to talk to about what happened during the storm. “Let people talk about their experiences as we listen empathically to them,” he suggested. “This gift of listening to others allows them to empty their heart of their fear and hurt and open to love and gratitude which make them feel safe.” He also advised that you should let your emotions flow free through crying; return to the places of the hurricane and resist all thoughts of avoidance; take control of the things that you can control and forget about trying to control the things beyond your control; return to your daily routine; practice mindful breathing and silence; and read about previous hurricanes that have hit the Bahamas so you would begin to realize that we are not unique in the face of tragedy.
Dr. Allen added that it may also be helpful to keep a “trauma diary.” “It is important for us to write our experiences to help us understand them,” he said. “But most of all, in years to come it is a record for us to realize how fortunate we were and as a result enhance our ability to be more grateful for what happened in our lives.”