Mother Nature is the boss of all bosses and when she decides to take action, nothing can stop her in her tracks. There are many religious and spiritual theories on why she chooses to ‘act upon us’, but that is not the scope of this article. This article is to acknowledge the aftermath and effects that these events have upon those people that experience them. These events are termed as ‘natural disasters’.
Natural disasters happen all over the world and can affect any of us at any time. There is usually little to no warning and when a disaster strikes, it will hit all in its path – men, women and children alike. This is what makes them so hard to deal with as they are often violent, destructive, sudden and without mercy.
What are natural disasters?
When we think of natural disasters we usually think of the following:
- Severe storms: Hurricanes & Tornadoes, Flooding
- Tsunamis
- Landslides & Avalanches
- Earthquakes
- Volcanic eruptions
However, there are also other conditions that can be termed as natural disasters:
- Droughts & Heatwaves
- Famine
- Catastrophic disease pandemics
Large scale accidents that have a similar impact:
- Chemical contamination
- Fires & Explosions
How do natural disasters affect us?
As previously stated, natural disasters are often violent, destructive, sudden, and without mercy. The affect that they have upon those that experience them can be just as devastating. Here are the common issues that are faced by victims of natural disasters:
- Shock – the event can be very sudden with little to no warning at all.
- Injury – often there is physical injury involved (temporary or permanent).
- Personal Loss – in the form of family and loved ones.
- Material Loss – home, vehicle, important possessions etc.
- Financial Loss – both immediate income and savings.
- Grief & Guilt – emotions that circle around the loss and survival of the victim.
- Despair – no sense of hope for the future.
Each catastrophe is unique in terms of what it delivers and this also applies to its consequences. These can be quite complex relevant to the specific nature and environment of the event. Here is a shortlist of general further issues that may appear as direct consequences of the disaster:
– Increased risk of disease
– Lack of food and/or water supplies
– Lack of shelter and/or utilities
– Lack of adequate sanitation
– Lack of security & protection
– Lack of health care & support (supplies, facilities and proper trained personnel)
– Lack of social support (friends, police & government etc.)
The poorer the country in which the disaster takes place, generally the more severe the effects to the people. This is because the resources available to attend to and recover from the aftermath are more limited. Sadly, it is not uncommon for victims of severe environmental disasters to be abused by corrupt authorities who prey on them to trade sex for aid. In these situations the victims feel that they are totally dependent upon this to survive and simply have no choice – especially if they have children.
As time goes by people start to adapt physically to the situation and start to rebuild their life. However, many do not live the same life as before the disaster struck, due to the longer lasting effects of the trauma that they have suffered.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the term given to a mental health condition that affects victims of a serious event or collection of events. These events are often attached to high levels of fear and are extremely overwhelming and distressing, causing severe trauma to the sufferer.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can also affect those who receive secondary exposure to the natural disaster as in friends and family of the victim or in helping professions (police, fire, medical, reporters, counsellors etc.) Moreover, very often the first people on the scene of the aftermath are normal citizens and volunteers that are compelled to help but have no real experience, knowledge or training in doing so. These people often experience trauma related to what they saw but also to the feelings of not being able to do enough.
The disorder usually develops a few months after the event but it can sometimes take several months or even years to materialise. PTSD is diagnosed by means of continuous suffering with symptoms such as:
* Social Anxiety – in order to reduce exposure to a reminder of or a perceived threat of the event occurring again.
* Irrationality – new formed beliefs that are mostly general and irrational, including emotions like shame and guilt.
Also, irrational reactions to external stimuli causing acute anxiety and panic.
* Flashbacks – recollections of the event in sharp and vivid detail.
* Nightmares – recollections of the event experienced whilst sleeping.
* Insomnia – trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.
* Mood Swings – extreme swings in mood, often including angry and violent outbursts.
* Relationships – inability to foster relationships with people as before.
In poor countries the opportunity to receive help is very limited. In more developed countries PTSD is well recognised and treatment is routinely offered. Traditional methods of treatment have been a combination of medication and talk therapy. Generally, the better the support that a victim has, the more chance of a recovery is possible. Those that have no or poor support can easily fall into depression, develop further panic disorders and resort to ‘self-medication’ with alcohol and drug abuse. In fact, a high percentage of PTSD sufferers develop co-occurrence addictions.
Help is Here
Although it is noted that treatment is easier if applied as early as possible, I do find that my work with PTSD clients is usually at a point where they feel that they have tried other means of help but are not fully satisfied with the results. Often they are at a point where they still cannot shift the underlying trigger points and so still suffer from the harsh symptoms of the PTSD. My toolbox of strategies includes some specific applications that have been noted to be successful in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a less invasive and much faster process than conventional treatment methods.
In 2004, I personally flew down to Phuket in Thailand to offer my immediate assistance to help with the psychological impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, setting up the ‘Emergency Trauma Treatment & Counselling Centre’ – You can read more about that by clicking here.
Furthermore, coaching is a great added benefit to those that begin to emerge from the restrictions of the disorder. Coaching helps support and bridge to a new future. Clients set new goals and start to achieve a life that can be enjoyed once more.
If you have been the victim of a natural disaster or are suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of having secondary exposure to one, then please connect with me to find out more about how I can help you.