Coping with Disasters: MedlinePlus [NEW TOPIC PAGE]

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Coping with Disasters: MedlinePlus

Having Trouble Coping After a Disaster? Talk with Us

07/08/2012 08:00 PM EDT

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - PDF ►

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//PEP12-DDHCARD/PEP12-DDHCARD.pdf

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National Institutes of Health

Coping with Disasters

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After any type of disaster, people feel relieved to be alive. But then they often feel stress, fear and anger. Most people will also find that they can't stop thinking about what happened. These feelings and memories aren't a sign of personal weakness. Most trauma survivors have stress reactions for days or weeks. But some people have long-term problems, including

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Self-blame
• Suicidal thoughts
• Alcohol or drug abuse

If you've survived a disaster, talk to your family and friends when you are ready. Most people recover from trauma naturally over time. If your emotional reactions are getting in the way of your relationships, work, or other important activities, you might want to talk to a counselor or your doctor. Treatments are available.

Related Topics

• Disaster Preparation and Recovery
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Disasters
• Mental Health and Behavior

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Coping with Disasters is the National Institute of Mental Health

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