Project Recovery:  Stress
   

- Disaster Stress
- Stress Reactions
- Stress Management
 

Disaster Stress
   

Exhaustion, fear, anger, disillusionment, cynicism and depression are common. These responses are normal and appropriate for something (a home, a farm, a business, a dream) which is lost over a long period of time.

Feelings of detachment, avoidance and apathy might be an effective way of conserving emotional energy and re-grouping. If people don’t get stuck in anger, grief, denial or depression then the healing cycle can continue.
 

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Nightmares for children and adults
• Irritability; outbursts of anger
• Excessive drinking/drug use
• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive worry, hypervigilance or extreme concern
• Re-experiencing the traumatic event
• Incapacitating guilt and self-doubt
• Withdrawal and suspicion
• Frequent loss of self-control
• Sudden painful emotions
• Apathy, avoidance of emotions, activities and situations associated with the event
   

Most people react to a perceived threat or challenge in the environment with stress: a state of physical and/or psychological arousal. Reactions may differ and obviously depend upon the severity of the situation. Reactions may also depend on the culture of the person affected.

Some cultures value hiding emotions, while others encourage openly expressing emotion. In addition, predisposing factors such as personality traits or previous history of mental disorders may make reactions more serious or intensify their course. Stress reactions are experienced at the physical, cognitive (how we perceive and "think" about events), emotional, behavioral and spiritual levels.
 

• Seeking help from others or offering to help others
• Using natural support systems
• Talking about their experiences and trying to make sense of what happened
• Hiding until the danger has passed
• Seeking information about the welfare of loved ones
• Gathering remaining belongings. Beginning to repair the damage
• Following religious and cultural practices
• Setting goals and making plans
• Using defenses like denial or minimizing
• Remaining fearful and alert to further danger
• Thinking long and hard about the event

Fortunately, grief can be one of the most healing things we can do. It is very normal for disaster survivors to cry when then are dealing with the stress and emotions of long term recovery.

Crisis has equal opportunity outcomes. People can learn valuable lessons from adversity.

Lessons to be learned from disaster recovery might include:

• Reframing the meaning of life and setting priorities; finding larger purposes, value and meaning to life
• Realizing the importance of relationships - that helping others may be a way to “repay” the help received during the disaster
• The positive power of connection to our neighbors and communities
• The qualities of strong families; which include commitment, appreciation, communication time, coping and spiritual wellness
• The need to say thanks and the benefits of celebration
  
  
   

Ten Ways to Build Resilience (link)

Take care of yourselves and others!

Remember


H-A-L-T

Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired


Eat right, get enough sleep, and share your thoughts and feelings with trusted friends and family.


Learning how others are coping will help you feel less alone.

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