DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

TIPS ON RECOVERING FROM ADISASTERUnless you’ve been in a disaster before, it is hard to imagine how you willhandle the situation. Coping with the human suffering and confusion of adisaster requires a certain inner strength. Disasters can cause you to lose aloved one, neighbor or friend or cause you to lose your home, property andpersonal items. The emotional effects of loss and disruption can show upright away or may appear weeks or months later.We are going to briefly cover “emotional” recovery tips then cover some“general” recovery tips on what to do AFTER a disaster. Remember --people can and do recover from all types of disasters, even the mostextreme ones, and you can return to a normal life.EMOTIONAL RECOVERY TIPS – HANDLING EMOTIONSSince disasters usually happen quickly and without warning, they can bevery scary for both adults and children. They also may cause you to leaveyour home and your daily routine and deal with many different emotions,but realize that a lot of this is normal human behavior. It is very importantthat you understand no matter what the loss is… there is a natural grievingprocess and every person will handle that process differently.SOME NORMAL REACTIONS TO DISASTERSRight after disaster – shock, fear, disbelief, hard time making decisions,refuses to leave home or area, won’t find help or help othersDays, weeks or months after disaster – anger or moodiness, depression, lossof weight or change in appetite, nightmares, trouble sleeping, crying for “noreason”, isolation, guilt, anxiety, domestic violenceAdditional reactions by children - thumb sucking, bed-wetting, clinging toparent(s) or guardian, won’t go to bed or school, tantrums (crying orscreaming), problems at schoolPlease note: If any of your disaster reactions seem to last for quite sometime, please consider seeking professional counseling for Post-TraumaticStress Disorder (PTSD). There is nothing wrong with asking for help!TIPS FOR ADULTS & KIDSDeath - You may lose loved ones or need to handle bodies during a crisis.Review some tips on pages 155-156.142 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325