Mental Health After a Hurricane

Compiled and written by Barrington H. Brennen, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019

 

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Barrington H. Brennen

A LITTLE HISTORY [ Go Directly to Article ]

Hurricanes have been hitting The Bahamas for hundreds of years.  We can never get use to them.  They are always painful

1929:  In 1929 there was a major hurricane that hit Andros.  Here's what Wikipidia states:

"The 1929 Bahamas Hurricane (also known as the Great Andros Island Hurricane) was the second hurricane and the only major hurricane during the very inactive 1929 Atlantic hurricane season. The hurricane was the only hurricane to cause any significant damage, resulting in $676,000 (1929 USD, $7.3 million 2005 USD) in damage. Only a year after the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, the hurricane caused only three deaths in southern Florida, a low number due to well-executed warnings.[3] The hurricane was much more severe in the Bahamas, where damage was near extreme due to the hurricane stalling over the area for an extended period of time. There, the hurricane caused 48 deaths."   In 1983, while living on Crooked I land, I had an interview with Harry McKinney who survived hurricane.  He told me how terrible was the hurricane.  There was a king tide and very strong surges.   He expressed it this way:  "A tidal wave came and wash right through Landrail Point pushing home, debris, and people way in land."  He said that one man was left hanging in a tree over one mile in land. 

1932: In 1932 there was a major hurricane that hit Abaco.

"The 1932 Bahamas hurricane, also known as the Great Abaco hurricane of 1932, was a large and powerful Category 5 hurricane that struck the Bahamas at peak intensity. The fourth tropical storm and third hurricane in the 1932 Atlantic hurricane season, it was also one of two Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean that year, the other being the 1932 Cuba hurricane. The 1932 Bahamas hurricane originated north of the Virgin Islands, became a strong hurricane, and passed over the northern Bahamas before recurving. The storm never made landfall on the continental United States, but its effects were felt in the northeast part of the country and in the Bahamas, especially on the Abaco Islands, where damage was very great. To date, it is one of only four Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall in the Bahamas at that intensity, the others having occurred in 1933, 1992, and 2019. . . 16 people were reported killed, along with an additional 300 injured.  This entire toll occurred in the Bahamas, notably on and around Abaco Island; damage estimates in dollars, however, were not released." Wikipedia

2019: In 2019 another dangerous hurricane hit Northern Bahamas--Abaco and Grand Bahamas.

 

WHEN DO HURRICANES OCCUR IN THE ATLANTIC

The following chart will help us understand the frequency of hurricanes and during which months since 1851 to 2017 (Wikipedia).  Note that the month with the most hurricanes is September.

 

Below is a cart of Atlantic Hurricanes with maximum winds of at least 175 MPH.  Now we will add Hurricane Dorian.  The source is listed in the graph.

 

 

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After a Hurricane
[ Handout ]
What to Expect?  What to Do?
What Not to Do? 

Responses

Coping

Children

Parents to Do

Children & Trauma

Not to Say

Not to Do

Do

Further Steps

Hurricanes are very stressful events. All unplanned events that bring uncertain change in our lives, called crises, are always stressful. Hurricanes affect all of us in some way or another. Every member of the family will experience some form of negative response to a hurricane over the next few days and months after it passes. The signs of post-hurricane trauma are not always immediate; the emotional effects may not appear for months. Recovery time varies as well. Stress takes its toll not only on those hit directly by the hurricane, but also on those who made it through physically untouched by the hurricane. Mental health experts say that those who escaped the hurricane untouched often suffer "survivor's guilt.''

People suffering survivor's guilt often push themselves to the limit trying to help. Children, in particular, resent the shattering of their routine. That resentment may manifest itself in enormous guilt, nightmares, temper tantrums and problems at school.

What’s important in dealing with trauma after the storm is to understand that there is a natural grieving process -- denial, questioning, acceptance and recovery -- after the loss of normalcy, loved ones, and property.

MENTAL HEALTH

A research was done in 2007 to document changes in mental and physical health among 392 low-income parents exposed to Hurricane Katrina and to explore how hurricane-related stressors and loss relate to post-Katrina well being.  The research team consisted Jean Rhodes and Christian Chan from University of Massachusetts, Christina Paxson and Cecilia Elena Rouse from Princeton University, Mary Waters from , Harvard University and Elizabeth Fussell from Washington State University.  The title of the research is "The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mental and Physical Health of Low-Income Parents in New Orleans."    Briefly the research results indicated:

"The prevalence of probable serious mental illness doubled, and nearly half of the respondents exhibited probable PTSD. Higher levels of hurricane-related loss and stressors were generally associated with worse health outcomes, controlling for baseline socio-demographic and health measures. "

It is clear readers, that there can be major effects to our emotionally well-being after a major hurricane.    It is imperative the individuals who experienced loss during a hurricane should take note.    Here are a few points to consider.

What Are Some of the Responses After a Hurricane?                               TOP

1. Fear, disbelief, suspicion, anger, anxiety, or apathy.
2. Short temper, moodiness and irritability.
3. Reluctance to abandon property.
4. Guilt over having been unable to prevent the disaster.
5. Confusion, numbness, and flashbacks.
6. Difficulty in making decisions.
7. Excessive helpfulness to other disaster victims.
8. Loss of appetite.
9. Crying for no apparent reason.
10. Increased effects from allergies, colds, and flu.
11. Rejecting outside help or feeling disappointed with outside help.
12. Isolation from family, friends, and social activities.
13. Domestic violence.

How Can Adults Cope? What Should You Do?  We cannot avoid stress, but we can learn to manage it or how to respond to the stressors. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Recognize and accept your feelings -- and realize you're not alone.
2. Talk to others, including family, friends or clergy, about your feelings.
3. Be patient--accept that restoring your life to normalcy will take time.
4. Keep family meals as nourishing and on as much of a routine as possible.
5. Get as much sleep as possible.
6. Relax--a deep breath and vigorous stretch help reduce tension and stress.
7. Whenever possible, do something enjoyable--read a book, watch a video, play games.
8. Walk or jog.
9. Hug your family and friends--affection and touching can be soothing.
10. If your stress symptoms persist, seek professional help

 

How Do Children Deal With Stress, Especially After a Hurricane?  Here are some of the signs of stress in children:

1. Head and stomach aches
2. Reluctance to go to bed
3. Insomnia and recurring nightmares sparked by fear that the hurricane will return
4. Regressive behavior such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking and clinging to parents
5. Fantasies that the hurricane never happened
6. Withdrawal
7. Temper tantrums, crying, and screaming.
8. Shortened attention span, plummeting school performance, or refusal to attend school
9. Loss of appetite
10. Loss of interest in playing
11. Drug and alcohol use by older children

 

What Can Parents or Adults Do to Help Their Children Cope?                       TOP

1. Do not let your children repeatedly watch video or photos on the television about the disaster or traumatic event.  This can elevate the stress.   Turn off the television when the news of that event comes on.  Read more or this at the end of this section
2. Like you, children are scared. Understand their fears--real or imagined--and reassure them they are safe. Extra attention and hugs are important.
3. Allow children to express their feelings in conversations, drawings, or activities. Children sometimes think scary things will go away if they block them out.
4. Share your feelings with your children; let them know their feelings are normal.
5. Answer questions thoughtfully. Take extra time to make sure the explanation is simple and open for discussion.
6. Be patient.
7. Let children know they are not responsible for the disaster. Tell them how being a prepared member of the family helped everyone feel safe.
8. Allow children to help in the cleanup. Children who feel they belong are likely to feel more self-assured.
9. Give extra doses of praise for good behavior.
10. Resume your normal routine as quickly as possible. Provide the same snacks you used to. Make time for family activities such as playing games.
11. Encourage children to help those less fortunate than themselves. Allow them to prepare food, clothing and other items for donations.
12. If your children continue to show stress signs, seek professional help. Your children's stress may be more than you can handle.

Children and Traumatic Events The repeated viewing of violent and horrific TV, Internet and newspaper images of traumatic events can upset them, and negatively affect the way they feel, behave, and perform in school.  (This information is taken from LifeNet NYC for Children) Know how children understand disturbing news images: Ages Six and Younger Believe that what they see on television is happening live; while they are watching it. Think that a traumatic event is happening over and over again when they see repeated images of it. Find images of people suffering, crying, or being attacked very upsetting. Ages Seven to 12 Understand that the news is only made up of reports about events that have already happened. Find disturbing media images upsetting. May become anxious for their own and their family’s safety. Ages 13 and Older They can be scared and horrified by the same things as younger children. They can become deeply worried and anxious for their own and their family’s safety and future. They may want to know why the bad things they see on the news are happening.

 

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When Helping Someone Impacted by a Disaster
Do's and Don'ts

Things Not to Say Updated September 2019
These are insensitive states that pushed the digger of emotional pain even further into the heart of the victim

• “It could have been worse.” When some has been seriously injured with a broken leg, has lost his entire belongings, and does not know where his mother is, this statement is insensitive and pushes a digger into his heart once again.

• “Let’s pray about it.”  Note that the first need is not always prayer, it is removal from the disaster area, food, water, clothing.  If you say "Let's pray about it" and walk away, not offering help, you are exasperating the person's pain.

• “I understand” or “I know what you are going through” Unless you have actually been through the exact experience, this is not wise to day.  In general, it is best not to use these statements.

• “God knows best.”  This also in insensitive statement.  It compounds the emotional state of the person who is already have doubts about God.  It also places the blame for the pain right at His feet.

• “We are only alive because of God’s goodness and mercy.”  This statement also causes confusion for many.  What about those "Godly" persons who perished in the hurricane?  Did they experience God's mercy before they died.  

• Run far away from the idea that the "hurricane is a punishment for the sins of the people." This is far from truth.  Once again this statement is blaming God, who is not the author of pain and misery. 
  

Things Not to Do Taken from Psychological First Aid Training Manual

• Don’t pressure someone to tell their story.

• Don’t interrupt or rush someone’s story (for example, don’t look at your watch or speak too rapidly).

• Don’t touch the person if you’re not sure it is appropriate to do so.

• Don’t judge what they have or haven’t done, or how they are feeling.

• Don’t say: “You shouldn’t feel that way,” or “You should feel lucky you survived.”

• Don’t make up things you don’t know.

• Don’t use terms that are too technical.

• Don’t tell them someone else’s story.

• Don’t talk about your own troubles.

• Don’t give false promises or false reassurances.

• Don’t think and act as if you must solve all the person’s problems for them.

• Don’t take away the person’s strength and sense of being able to care for themselves.

• Don’t talk about people in negative terms (for example, don’t call them “crazy” or “mad”).
  

Things to Do Taken from Psychological First Aid Training Manual

• Try to find a quiet place to talk, and minimize outside distractions.

• Respect privacy and keep the person’s story confidential, if this is appropriate.

• Stay near the person but keep an appropriate distance depending on their age, gender and culture.

• Let them know you are listening; for example, nod your head or say “hmmmm….” Be patient and calm.

• Provide factual information, if you have it. Be honest about what you know and don’t know. “I don’t know, but I will try to find out about that for you.”

• Give information in a way the person can understand – keep it simple.

• Acknowledge how they are feeling and any losses or important events they tell you about, such as loss of their home or death of a loved one. “I’m so sorry. I can imagine this is very sad for you.”

• Acknowledge the person’s strengths and how they have helped themselves.

• Allow for silence

Further Steps to Take

Here’s are a few steps one can take to help restore emotional well-being and a sense of control in the wake of the hurricane or other traumatic experience.  These steps were prepared by the American Psychological Association and I thought can be help for us in The Bahamas.

• Recognize that this is a challenging time but one that you can work to manage. You've tackled hardships at other times in your life. Tap into the skills you used to get through past challenges.

• Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced. Recognize that you may experience a variety of emotions and their intensity will likely less over time.

• Take a news break. Watching replays of footage from the hurricane can make your stress even greater. Often, the media tries to interest viewers by presenting worst case scenarios. These may not be representative of your home or community.

• Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. But keep in mind that your typical support system may be weakened if those who are close to you also have experienced or witnessed the hurricane.

• Find ways to express yourself when ready. Communicating your experience through talking with family or close friends, keeping a diary, or other forms of self-expression may be a source of comfort. Find out about local support groups led by appropriately trained and experienced professionals. Support groups are often available in communities following large-scale disasters. People can experience relief and comfort connecting with other hurricane survivors who have had similar reactions and emotions. These can be especially helpful for people with limited personal support systems.

• Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience difficulties sleeping, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs since these can increase a sense of depression and/or impede you from doing what is necessary to be resilient and cope with events.

• Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. Take some time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing hobbies or other enjoyable activities.

• If possible, avoid major life decisions such as switching jobs because these activities tend to be highly stressful.

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WHAT IS MOST VALUABLE?

One thing most people learn after such a national disaster like a hurricane is that life is more valuable than material possessions.   While we do love our material possessions, these things can be easily replaced.   Sometimes major disasters helps us to realize that we really do not need certain things, or it helps us to put things in proper perspective.   One man last week was miserable because since there was no electricity and running water in his home after the hurricane the heat in his home became very unbearable.   It was frustrating he said.  He began to complain and became very restless.  However, after driving around the island visiting friends and neighbors and observing their loss and damage, he realized that he did not have much loss as compared to others.  Suddenly his complaining turned in to a spirit of thankfulness and a sense of peach.  The house was no longer hot.   It is imperative that we put our personal loss into perspective.  It’s a healthy way of coping.

Here are scripture passages that may motivate you during this time:

Psalms 46 Psalms 23 Lamentation 3:32 Psalms 103:3-18 Psalms 139:9-10 Romans 8:18 Romans 8:31-39

Psalms 55:22 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Matthew 6:25-34 Philippians 4:6-7 I Peter 5:6-7 Proverbs 12:25.

Dear friends, you need not go through the pain of loss all alone. Contact someone you can talk to. A counselor, pastor, friend, or relative. If your stress signs linger long or are currently unbearable, then seek professional help.   Go the Bahamas Psychological Association website and click on button "List of Psychologists" at the top of the page.

Barrington Brennen is a counseling psychologist, marriage and family therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist and Nationally Certified Psychologist, in the USA. Send your questions to question@soencouragment.org or call 242-327-1980 or visit www.soencouragement.org

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