Natural disasters
Natural disasters include such events as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tsunamis. Often these events are unexpected, sudden and overwhelming.
Even when you’re not hurt physically, disasters can take a serious emotional toll. Normal reactions include intense, unpredictable feelings; flashbacks; trouble concentrating or making decisions; disrupted eating and sleeping patterns; emotional upsets on anniversaries or other reminders; strained personal relationships; and physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea or chest pain.
Adapted from “Managing traumatic stress: Tips for recovering from disasters and other traumatic events” APA fact sheet
What you can do
- Mind/body health: The effects of traumatic stress
There are things you can do to help yourself if you have suffered traumatic stress, which can affect both your emotions and your body.
- Tornadoes, hurricanes and children
The intense feelings that often follow a disaster can be especially hard for children, but there are several things parents and other caregivers can do to help.
Getting help
- Find a Psychologist
- What do psychologists do at disaster sites?
Psychologists don’t offer therapy at disaster sites. Instead, they help survivors build on their internal strengths to start the process of recovery.
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Changing minds to prevent climate change
October 2009