Post Disaster Exhaustion

November 8th, 2012

After any disaster, war, or traumatic event, we often see a surge in all types of mental illness.  This can be an exacerbation of a pre-existing mental illness such as anxiety disorder, or a new diagnosis of clinical depression or PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).  Mental health is just as important as your cardiovascular health.  Every time I meet with someone I haven’t seen since Hurricane Sandy, the encounter always starts with a 5-10 minute exchange of how we survived, evacuated, or managed to get by still without electricity.  We were all affected to some degree, and everyone has suffered emotional stress.

It is important to recognize that you may be fine physically, but emotionally exhausted.  Perhaps you can’t sleep well at night now, or see everything as being dark (“glass is half empty”).  Maybe you are more withdrawn socially and spend the nights alone.  If this is severe and disruptive to your work and life, you may need to seek professional mental health.

Here are some tips to mitigate the effects of stress:

• Talk to your friends and family often.  They are your support network and are there to help you.  Make dinner dates, or perhaps a potluck at someone’s house.
• Leave the situation if you can.  Take a trip to someplace warm like Florida.  You would be surprised how much your mood would change after you are around people who are not all suffering, not to mention the Vitamin D you would replenish from the sun there.
• Keep regular sleeping hours.  When we sleep, our minds sort out the problems from the day.
• Pray or meditate.  Even closing your eyes for 10 minutes in the middle of the day can be helpful.
• Continue your usual leisurely pasttimes.  If you normally like to knit, run, shop, watch movies or read, keep doing those things.
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid drinking alcohol excessively.  Alcohol is a depressant and can worsen depression symptoms.
• Get as much fresh air and sunlight as possible.
• If you are a caregiver or first responder, realize your limits.  How can you care for others if you yourself need help?
• Within reason, do not postpone important celebrations.  Birthdays and anniversaries are occasions for realizing how fortunate we are, even if we observe them modestly.
• Take time to count your blessings and put things into perspective.  Material possessions may come and go, but your health and life are irreplaceable.