Putting back the pieces

Experts on what it takes to emotionally survive a natural disaster

Putting back the pieces

Experts on what it takes to emotionally survive a natural disaster

A monstrous 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. At last count, the death toll was 18,000. The nightmare, however, is not yet over in the Land of the Rising Sun, as the emotional devastation of such a calamity is likely to take decades to unravel.

"Not everyone reacts to tragedy in the same way. For some, an earthquake and the survival of it may mean a new lease of life. For others, the loss of their possessions means everything, and even though they may have survived an earthquake it is of little consequence," reveals clinical psychologist Varkha Chulani.

Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany reveals that depression, spontaneous crying, despair, hopelessness, panic attacks and emotional numbness are some of the emotional consequences, while memory lapses, distractions and indecisiveness are some of the cognitive impacts.

Post trauma, victims experience flashbacks, nightmares, tension and angry outbursts.u00a0The recovery period depends on the individual, with some taking a month to recover, while others may never recover at all.
"Grief is the process of working through all the thoughts, memories and emotions associated with that loss, until acceptance is reached. This allows the person to place the event in proper perspective," explains Hingorrany.

According to Chulani, loss of a loved one in a natural disaster can take more time to recover from. Hingorrany agrees, adding, "The acceptance of the death of the loved one is very low, as there is mass destruction along with almost every thing gone." She adds, "The trauma experienced by survivors is very high and most show symptoms of emotional numbing or dissociation."

Tips to embrace life
a) Accept reality. What is, is and cannot be otherwise. Fighting the truth will rob you of energy to do what can be done.

b) Ask yourself how much worse it could be. Prepare for the worst if more is to come. If the worst is over, remind yourself that you have survived and the best you can do now is make the most of your survival.

c) Start living in the present. Train your mind to stay with the now. Create images of what the future would be like, where you have reconstructed and rebuilt life. Imagine the phoenix - which was rebuilt from the ashes. And trust that you can do the same.

d) Begin to work wholeheartedly towards your goal of rebuilding your future.