Rebuilding Communities in Mind and Body
MIND/BODY HEALTH:
rebuilding communities in mind and body
Whether you were directly affected by or witnessed the coverage of the hurricanes or a natural disaster, you may have experienced traumatic stress. Feeling physical or
emotional symptoms in response to a traumatic event is common and is called
a traumatic stress reaction. Anyone who has been through these things has had a
shock and, even if you and your family escaped danger, if you lived through the
event, you may feel like life just isnt the same anymore.
When Traumatic Stress Becomes PTSD
Most people are resilient and, although the hurricanes were a horrible experience, theyve learned the skills to bounce back. But some people may have developed PTSD.
PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is similar to a stress reaction and, in fact, many people who have experienced a traumatic event do develop PTSD. Those with PTSD may feel many of the same emotional and physical symptoms as those with a traumatic stress reaction, but they may also experience intense fear, helplessness or horror and then develop intrusive symptoms (such as flashbacks or nightmares). Their
symptoms will last more than a month and get in the way of normal life. For these people, the arrival of the hurricanes anniversary will be even more difficult.
The Anniversary Effect
Even if youve successfully dealt with the hurricane and its consequences, the approach of both the hurricane season and the anniversary can raise difficulties. The anniversary can serve as a trigger for a host of emotions.
Common reactions to the anniversary of a traumatic event include:
Nightmares or thoughts about the event
Grief or regret
Anxiety or fear along with preparedness activities
Avoiding talking about the event or dark humor about the event
Frustration or anger, especially among those for whom life has not gone back to normal
Some people may be angry at the government response, or at insurance companies, or even at others in the community. There is some evidence that the ability to forgive plays a role in recovery, and those who hold onto the anger may have a harder time with recovery.
The Mind/Body Connection: What Stress Does to the Body
Suffering traumatic stress can affect your emotions as well as your body, and the two are so connected that it can be hard to tell the difference. For instance, traumatic stress can cause you to lose concentration, forget things, or have trouble sleeping. It may be difficult to determine on your own whether these symptoms are because you do not feel well physically or because you are still upset. Traumatic stress also can lead you to eat
in unhealthy ways or to eat foods that are not healthy, and those eating patterns can affect how you sleep or how your stomach feels. Stress can cause headaches, but the pain from the headaches can also make your stress worsen.
Because the body and the mind work in concert, traumatic stress can cause a cycle that makes it seem like the body and mind are working against one another, worsening symptoms like pain and fatigue.
Studies also have shown a wide range of physical problems during times of stress. For example, rheumatoid arthritis can flare up during times of stress. Stress can lead to headaches. And stress can cause some unpleasant gastrointestinal problems like heartburn, nausea and irritable bowel syndrome.
Anyone affected by the hurricanes or other traumatic stress may experience:
Fatigue Being easily startled Headaches Sweating Gastrointestinal problems
Those affected by traumatic stress may feel:
Fear Anger Guilt Anxiety Reduced awareness Feeling like they are numb or not part of the world Helplessness Hopelessness
What Makes Stress Worse
Stress on its own is neither bad nor good. What makes stress bad is the way you deal with it. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association showed that Americans engage in unhealthy behaviors such as comfort eating, poor diet choices, smoking and inactivity to help deal with stress. People experiencing stress are more likely to report hypertension, anxiety or depression and obesity. In particular, women report feeling the
effects of stress on their physical health more than men.
Stress can make you:
Forgetful Unable to concentrate Have trouble making decisions Lose objectivity and perspective Lose the flexibility that can help you adjust to changes in your housing situation Accident-prone
What You Can Do: Building Resilience
For example, bouncing back from the hurricanes and the ability to face a new hurricane season is something you can develop by doing things that help build resilience. Like working out a muscle, the more you work on the skills of resilience, the more resilient you can become. Heres what you can do:
Give yourself time to heal. Anticipate that this will be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced. Try to be patient with changes in your emotional state.
Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. But keep in mind that people who normally would help you may also have suffered in the hurricanes.
Communicate your experience in whatever ways feel comfortable to you such as by talking with family or close friends, or keeping a diary.
Find out about local support groups that often are available such as for those who have suffered from natural disasters.
Try to find groups led by appropriately trained and experienced professionals such as psychologists. Group discussion can help people realize that other individuals in the same circumstances often have similar reactions and emotions.
Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid
alcohol and drugs.
Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. This can be especially important when the normal routines of daily life are disrupted. Even if you have been unable to return home, establish routines that can
bring comfort. Take some time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing hobbies or other enjoyable activities.
Help those you can. Helping others, even during your own time of distress, can give you a sense of control and can make you feel better about yourself.
Avoid major life decisions such as switching careers or jobs if possible because these activities tend to be highly stressful.
Seek professional help when serious problems persist and continue to interfere with daily living. For example, some may feel over whelming nervousness or lingering sadness that adversely affects job performance and interpersonal relationships.
© 2006 American Psychological Association
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