In The Wake Of Natural Disasters (NAPSA)—The often sudden and overwhelming devastation and destruc- tion caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters take an emotional toll on millions of people each year. Many survivors expe- rience anxiety, trouble sleeping, depression and substance misuse. Help protect your mental health by learning ways to cope before, during and after these stressful events. Emotional Impact: Before, During And After Natural Disaster Knowing that a storm, tornado or other destructive event is coming can stir anxiety. Receiving continuous up- dates and warnings in the news can cause a heightened state ofalert. This level of alert is particularly common in regionsthat frequently experience disasters: coastal communities vulnerable to hurricanes, towns on fault lines where earthquakes are likely, Tornado Alley, and dry regions prone to wildfires. After a disaster, the task of rebuild- ing can cause additional stress and sleeplessness. Others may experience grief and depression stemming from personal injuries or the loss of life, homeor employment. In the wakeofa disaster,it’s important to watch for several common warning signs of emotional distress. They include: Eatingor sleeping too muchortoolittle Pulling away from people and things Having low or no energy Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches Feeling helpless or hopeless; constant worrying Excessive smoking, drinking or using drugs, including prescription medications Thinking of hurting orkilling yourself or someoneelse Having difficulty readjusting to home or worklife. ‘The anniversary of an event may also renew feelings of fear, anxiety and sadness. Certain reminders such as sounds, like sirens, can trigger emotional distress. These and other environmental sensations can take survivors right back to the disaster or cause fear that it’s about to happen again. Coping in the Event of a Natural Disaster It's normalto have difficulty managing your feelings about naturaldisasters. However, not dealing with the stress of these events can be harmful to your men- Take steps to protect your physical and mental well-being before severe weatherhits. tal and physical health. Here are healthy ways to cope when disasterstrikes: Limit your consumption of news. The constant replay of news stories about a disaster on TV, radio and the Internet can increase stress and anxiety. Re- duce your news intake and engage in relaxing activities instead, like spend- ing time with loved ones. Get enough “good”sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, only go to bed when you are ready to sleep, avoid usingcell phones or laptops in bed, and avoid drinking caffeine or alcoholfor at least one hour before going to bed. If you wake up andcarttfall backto sleep,try writing in a journal. Take care of pets or spend time in nature whenit’s safe. Nature and animals can help usfeel better when we're down. Spend time with your pet outdoorsor gofor a hike. Know whento ask for help. Pay attention to what’s going on with you. What may seem like everyday stress can be depression, anxiety or alcohol/drug abuse. If you or someone you knowis in need ofextra help, contact the Sub- stance Abuse and Mental Health Ser- vices Administration Disaster Distress Helpline (www.samhsa.gov/find-help/ disaster-distress-helpline), which pro- vides free, confidential crisis counsel- ing 24/7. Preparing can help reduce the potentially devastating impact of natural disasters. Know how to protect your physical and mental well-being so you, your family and community can be ready to rebound,rebuild and recover. SAMHSAs Disaster Distress Help- line provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emo- tional distress related to natural or hu- man-caused disasters. Call (800) 985- 5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
