Aftereffects of the Flood
The aftereffects of the September flood are devastating in terms of economic loss, and the emotional toll exacted by the disaster may be equally powerful. Ongoing red tape with agencies and insurance companies, financial difficulties, overwhelming repair work and prolonged stress are just a few of the challenges facing many Washington County citizens.
The loss or damage to property, source of income and personal belongings has set into motion weeks and even months of recovery and rebuilding efforts. Thoughts, feelings and behaviors may be altered by disastrous events. Not everyone will experience the same intensity or duration of difficult responses. Some of the more common ones are: Thoughts -Constant thoughts about losses and financial problems -Trouble concentrating and remembering things -Questioning of spiritual beliefs -Recurring dreams or replaying events related to the flood Feelings -Feeling depressed or down most of the time, feeling "not yourself" or out of balance -Feeling anxiety or fear, especially when things remind you of the flood or when it rains -Feeling a sense of despair or hopelessness about the future -Feeling numb or apathetic, having little interest in everyday activities Behaviors -Isolating yourself or withdrawing from others -Experiencing changes in eating and sleeping habits -Crying easily, becoming tearful for no apparent reason -Becoming easily startled or overly alert at times -Keeping excessively busy and preoccupied to avoid unpleasant reminders Prolonged or increasingly strong symptoms may be helped by mental health services, but it is vital for all of us to understand that these responses are not indicative of mental illness; these thoughts, feelings and behaviors are normal responses to an abnormal event. During the next few months, the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board will be providing outreach services to citizens who have been affected by the flood. Project staff have received specific training, as this crisis counseling project will be distinctly different from the work activities of most mental health professionals. Trainers and project staff will follow some guiding principles that form the basis for disaster mental health intervention work: No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it. Disaster stress and grief reactions are normal responses to an abnormal situation. Many emotional reactions of disaster survivors stem from problems of living brought about by the disaster. Disaster relief assistance may be confusing to survivors and result in frustration, anger and feelings of helplessness. "Disaster mental health assistance is more practical than psychological in nature and must be uniquely tailored to the community. Mental health workers need to set aside traditional methods, avoid psychological jargon and avoid viewing normal responses as symptoms of illness. If you or someone you love has been experiencing difficulty stemming from the flood, do not let yourself become isolated. Seek out and maintain connections with your friends, relatives, and community. Talking about your experiences and/or writing them down is important; in simple terms, constructing a narrative of what has happened and how it has affected you allows your brain to store it as memory and allows you to recover. As the body is greatly affected by stress, treat it especially well - a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and physical activity will help offset the toll on your body.