Disaster Psychology – Are You Mentally Ready for the Aftermath?

As preppers, we often think about getting through a disaster and being able to do it with some comfort and certainly without many needs. That’s the whole point of prepping, after all. What is rarely considered or even discussed among the prepping community, however, is the need to be ready for the mental aftermath of a disaster.

After all, a disaster (even if you’re not directly affected) is a traumatic event that WILL elicit a variety of normal emotional responses. In fact, you or loved ones may experience a traumatic stress reaction that can occur immediately following the event or perhaps weeks later. As such, it helps to know a few warning signs.

Warning Signs

[As taken directly from the New Jersey Bergen County Police Emergency Management Handout]

Physical

• Nausea and/or upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping

Emotional

• Anxiety and/or fear
• Guilt
• Grief and/or depression
• Anger

Cognitive

• Nightmares
• Confusion and/or disorientation
• Difficulty concentrating

Behavioral

• Avoidance and/or withdrawing
• Emotional outbursts
• Erratic behavior

Taking Care of Yourself and Others

[As taken directly from the New Jersey Bergen County Police Emergency Management Handout]

Taking care of yourself following a traumatic event . . .

• Try to rest a bit more
• Contact friends and talk
• Re-establish your normal schedule as soon as possible
• Fight against boredom
• Physical activity can be helpful
• Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even when you don’t feel like it)
• Avoid alcohol and drugs taken without physician recommendation/prescription
• Recurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal – don’t try to fight them – they’ll decrease over time and be less painful
• Seek out professional help if the feelings become prolonged or intense