In light of the devastation and suffering from the aftermath Hurricane Sandy, this list is offered to help individuals understand Disaster Reactions.

Having a direct or indirect experience sets into motion a variety of psychological reactions. These disaster reactions have physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral presentations.

This list is not exhaustive but will help show some of the reactions you might experience.

Trauma Reactions





Apathy

change

Avoidance

Blame

Confusion

Denial



Difficulty concentrating

Difficulty making decisions

Difficulty using logic

Difficulty naming objects

Difficulty focusing

Disorientation

Distortions in time perspective

Exaggerated startle reaction

Excessive worry about safety of others

Emotional numbing

Fatigue

Faintness or dizziness

Fearfulness

Feelings of being unappreciated

Feelings of inadequacy

Feelings of loss

Feelings of gratefulness for being alive

Feelings of isolation or abandonment

Feeling high, heroic, invulnerable

Feeling a “lump in the throat”

Feeling uncoordinated

Forgetfulness

Frustration





Headaches

Helplessness

Hyperactivity or an inability to rest

Increased heartbeat, respiration, blood pressure

Increased use or

Intense concern for family members

Inability to express self verbally or in writing

Irritability

Letdown

Loss of appetite

Loss of objectivity

Lower back pain

problems

Muffled hearing

Nausea



Numbness

Pains in chest

Periods of crying

Persistent interest in the event

Persistent or obsessive thoughts

Sense of unreality

Shock

Sleep disturbance

Slowness of thinking

Social withdrawal

Soreness in muscles

Stomach and muscle cramps

Strong identification with victims

Strong identification with survivors

Sweating or chills

Tremors, especially of hand, lips, eyes

Trouble catching breath

Visual flashbacks

Withdrawal

Coping with Disaster

1. Stay active. Falling into passivity can worsen psychological and physical disaster reactions.

2. Resume a normal routine as soon as possible.

3. Remind yourself that reactions you're having are considered part of the trauma cycle. It's especially important to teach children that these reactions are "normal".

4. Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol. And avoid as its effects can amplify anxiety and stress response.

5. Talk about your experience.

6. It's okay to spend some time by yourself, or on the other hand, feel the need to be with others.

7. Avoid over-exposure to media images and newscasts.

8. Realize those around you are also under stress and may not react in a manner you'd normally expect.

9. Understand that chaos may be the "new normal" and that a return to stability may be days, week or months away.

10. Make decisions that will give you the control over your life.

If you find that post-trauma stress, depression or anxiety is too much for you to handle on your own, reach out for help. If you live in the ground zero or hard hit areas of Super Storm Sandy, there will be mental health support service personnel on stand-by, and there is always help found at The American Red Cross.