Written by: Dr. Don Wood, PhD, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There have been numerous studies conducted on large-scale disasters that noted that the people most vulnerable to stress are children, the elderly, people with a chronic medical history, and people dealing with mental health issues. These studies provide some interesting information, but what about the rest of the population? The fact is everyone is at risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress when faced with a natural disaster.
Research has shown that when someone experiences multiple exposures to hurricanes or natural disasters, this creates an additional negative effect on their mental health. Areas such as Florida and California are prime examples of multiple exposures to these natural disasters. Florida has hurricanes, and California is exposed to mudslides, earthquakes, and wildfires. One of the main reasons people move to either Florida or California is because of the beautiful weather. That is the price for living in paradise, I guess!
It is established science that post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety are linked to multiple exposures to natural disasters. Florida residents experienced these symptoms after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Michael and now will have to deal with the most recent hurricane, Ian. Amazingly, you do not need to have direct exposure to a hurricane or natural disaster to feel the effects psychologically. Indirect exposure from sources like the media can exasperate symptoms, especially if you have been affected by one in the past. Imagine if you are already experiencing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression from other events and experiences in your life. Then this is just another added weight to carry.
Of course, there is no surprise that a hurricane like Ian's would create mental health distress. However, when there are multiple hurricanes in a row like there were in Florida with Irma and Michael, the amount of stress is exaggerated. This can interrupt the natural healing process even for highly resilient people.
Another interesting fact is that women are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, so they are more likely to develop a disproportionate burden of mental health issues associated with these types of disasters. Daily exposure to the media will naturally create prolonged feelings of helplessness. This is one of the biggest issues for most people. A person can feel helpless when faced with all the uncertainty around the pending disaster. Another addition to a person's stress is that a hurricane does not come unexpectedly; it may be forming well in advance. It can feel like you are standing on the train tracks watching the train getting closer and not being able to move. Meteorologists create multiple tracks for each storm, adding even more uncertainty. Should I leave everything I own and run? Should I stay and ride it out and risk my life? Those are tough decisions for anyone to have to make. So, is there any advice we can give to help reduce the stress? Yes, there is! Extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes and natural disasters will always be a part of our lives. One solution is to find a community support resource group to get advice from before and after the event. Safety in numbers is a solid solution because being alone and isolated during a disaster can be overwhelming. Seeking professional help in the form of therapy before or after is another solution. It is important to have someone you can speak with regarding your fears and uncertainty. Seeking guidance from local churches or clergy is also an option. Of course, the best way to deal with stress is to take measures to preempt it. For example, taking precautions before the event if you have advance warning. Take time to listen to official safety advice from multiple sources because there is a tendency in the forecasting community to compete with exceedingly popular broadcasters who can exaggerate the event and create unnecessary anxiety. Obviously, there is no way to stop a hurricane but preparing for them beforehand can help your mental well-being. There definitely needs to be more efficient mental health support in the aftermath of any natural disaster. However, being better prepared beforehand can help you take back some control of the emotions and feelings associated with these types of events. The more you feel prepared to handle whatever happens, the less stress you will experience before, during, and after. Once the event is over, you can then analyze that some or all your precautions were effective, and this will result in less stress when the next event approaches, and it will at some point. After reviewing pertinent and expert advice on preparations, acting is imperative. Make a list of what you need to purchase in terms of supplies. Water, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, candles, etc. Dust off the board games and make plans to where you can play them in a house that is safe, away from windows during the intense winds. Find a safe place in the house in advance to move to when and if it becomes necessary. Practice a drill, like a fire drill, with your family. It is easier to act on if you have practiced the drill beforehand when not under stress. Know the evacuation routes in case they become necessary. Because you do not know the exact direction it will come from, it is best to prepare several alternative routes. So, how does this all help? Because the mind responds better when it operates with certainty. It is fine to think I handle things well when I am in a crisis. That may be true, however, and you will handle them better if you are prepared and experienced.
The police officer and firefighters are excellent at crisis management because of years of practice and training. On-the-job experience honed their skills, but no one wants police officers or and firefighters to handle their crisis if they are not highly skilled in advance.
Another benefit aside from the mental stress relief from preparing in advance is the fact you may be instrumental in helping or saving someone else in need. You will also know where to find resources for you or others after the event has occurred.
It is also helpful to talk to family or friends who are experiencing similar feelings of anxiety and depression. Encourage your children, family, and friends to talk about their fears and anxieties and assure them that you have a plan even though it is not possible to eliminate all those feelings.
Now, assuming you took all the precautions and limited the stress and damages, there is still another potential issue that could arise. After the effects have passed, there is a possibility that because you managed your situation well or had the good fortune of not being affected while your neighbors did, you could experience survivor’s guilt. Sometimes that can be just as traumatic as losing all your possessions and making it difficult to ask for help. Just a heads-up of something to watch for. If it happens, be sure to seek professional help. And there it is!
Dr. Don Wood, PhD, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Don Wood, Ph.D., author, speaker, Founder & CEO of the Inspired Performance Institute and creator of the patented TIPP method. TIPP is a cutting-edge method inspired and developed through the newest developments in neuroscience and designed to clear away the effects of disturbing or traumatic events, repurpose old patterns, and set the individual’s mind up for peak performance. In essence, it “REBOOTs” the brain’s stuck thought pattern, making it possible to enhance alpha oscillations with a noninvasive and effective shift in brain wave activity. Author of two top-selling books, Emotional Concussions and You Must Be Out of your Mind.
