If you have experienced a disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or other traumatic event such as a car crash, you may have distressing reactions like feeling anxious or afraid. It’s also pretty common to think about the event often, even if you were not directly affected, especially if you saw it on television. No reactions are wrong or right. Most responses are just typical ways of reacting to the situation.
Tips for coping
Talk about it. One of the most helpful things to do is to connect with others. Don’t isolate yourself. Talk with someone about your sadness, anger, and other emotions, even though it may be challenging to get started. Find a peer who understands and accepts your feelings or a trusted professor, counselor, or faith leader. Call home to talk with your parents or other caregivers (for example, your Resident Assistant if you live on campus). Share your feelings and concerns with them or visit the Student Health Center for any physical or emotional concerns.
Take care of yourself. Rest when you need to. Eat healthy meals and snacks when they are available, and drink plenty of water.
Calm yourself. Move the stress hormones out of your body:
Deep breathing or breathing that emphasizes exhalation is beneficial in reducing stress.
Simple exercises like walking or gentle stretching such as yoga help eliminate stress.
Give yourself a break. Turn Off the Television/Radio. Take breaks from watching news coverage of the event or listening to radio reports.
Avoid using alcohol, drugs and tobacco. They will not help you deal with stress, especially immediately after a traumatic event. They usually just make things worse.
Get back to your daily routines. Do what you usually do, even if you don’t feel like it. It’s an excellent way to regain a sense of control and helps you feel less anxious.
Get involved in your community. Positive activities like group discussions and candlelight vigils can help comfort you and promote healing. They also help you realize you are not alone. Volunteering is a great way to help and can create a sense of connectedness and meaning. Try something you think you’d like to do. For example, answer hotlines, distribute clothing, or join a food drive.
Help others. If you are trying to help a friend, listen attentively (for example, avoid looking at your cell phone) to find out where they are coping. Others may have different responses from you, so try to accept their feelings. Get professional help for you or your friends if you need it.
If trauma was caused by a violent act, it is common to be angry at people who have caused great pain. Know that nothing good can come out of more violence or hateful actions.
We tend to remember traumatic events like disasters all our lives, but the pain will decrease over time, and even though it hurts, we usually become stronger.
Be honest with yourself and accept your feelings - even if you have a sense of uncertainty. Things may seem off balance for a while, but most people start feeling differently after a week or two, especially if they return to their regular routines. Think about what you may have learned that might be helpful to you in the future. Do you feel this tragedy made you more adaptable or more self-reliant?
If you continue to experience emotional distress for two to four weeks after a disaster or other traumatic event, seek professional help.
Common reactions of survivors of disasters and other traumatic events
Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Feeling like you have no energy or like you are constantly exhausted
Feeling sad or depressed
Having stomachaches or headaches
Feeling like you have too much energy or like you are hyperactive
Feeling very irritable or angry- fighting with friends or family for no reason
Being numb - not feeling at all
Having trouble focusing on schoolwork
Having periods of confusion
Drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs or even legal medications to stop your feelings
Not having any appetite at all, or just the opposite - finding that you are eating too much
Thinking that no one else is having any of the same reactions and that you are alone in dealing with your feelings
