People exposed to natural disasters such as earthquakes may have some physical, psychological and behavioral reactions after the earthquake. While these reactions may vary from person to person, they may include insomnia, loss of appetite, panic, constant visualization of the event, inability to stay indoors for a long time and feeling restless. These reactions are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also called reactions.
The sudden loss of family members and relatives in events such as earthquakes and disasters, and the fact that these situations are experienced in an environment that is considered particularly safe by the person, can cause these reactions to continue for a long time and cause serious trauma disorders in the person. While these reactions are generally expected to last for a period of two weeks, in some people this may last longer and this prolonged process may be called post-traumatic stress disorder.
How to Communicate with Earthquake Victims?
Natural disasters such as earthquakes can have a widespread impact, affecting not only specific individuals but also large communities. The first expectation of earthquake victims after such disasters is to feel understood. It is therefore very important to build trust and know how to communicate with them.
Experts state that earthquake victims need empathy the most during these times. Therefore, their relatives can help them to express their feelings and share their fear without being too hard on them.
It is important for people who have experienced earthquake trauma to accept that this is a natural disaster, that it can be encountered at any time and that life goes on. Research shows that acceptance behavior enables trauma survivors to focus on life earlier.
What should be done to reduce fear of earthquakes?
In order to reduce the fear of earthquakes, first of all, the person should be willing to do so. It is also important to seek psychological support if the anxiety and fear persist for a long time. It is known that there is a link between the feeling of helplessness caused by fear and traumatic stress symptoms. For this reason, instead of running away from fears, confronting fear helps to reduce fears.
Earthquake Fear People who experience fear can apply a number of methods to reduce it. The person should continue their daily life as much as possible and maintain their normal routine. They should engage in different activities to get rid of the thoughts that occupy the mind and cause anxiety. By sharing the fears experienced with family or close friends, these fears can be reduced.
When to Get Support?
Some people may panic about the expected earthquakes. The human brain reacts in a fight or flight response to dangers. These reactions are physical reactions such as heart palpitations, frequent breathing and sweating. If the person's mind is preoccupied with this expected danger, the body will be in a constant state of alarm and these reactions will continue. Anxiety Disorder (Anxiety) should be suspected if there is anxiety even though the residence is safe and preparations such as earthquake bags are made. In this case, it is important to seek help from a specialist.