Resources for Flood Victims

In the aftermath of the May floods, signs of recovery are evident. Homes are being rebuilt, and Nashville citizens are resuming daily routines. However, what mental health experts know about trauma is this: psychological effects often present after initial, more immediate needs are met. Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event oftentimes suffer psychological stress related to the incident. In most cases, these are normal reactions to a very abnormal situation. Individuals who feel they are unable to regain control of their lives, or who experience the symptoms listed below for more than a month, should consider seeking outside professional mental health assistance.

• Recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event.
• Having trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
• Experiencing anxiety and fear, especially when exposed to events or situations reminiscent of the trauma.
• Being on edge, being easily startled or becoming overly alert.
• Feeling depressed, sad and having low energy.
• Experiencing memory problems including difficulty in remembering aspects of the trauma.
• Feeling "scattered" and unable to focus on work or daily activities. Having difficulty making decisions.
• Feeling irritable, easily agitated, or angry and resentful.
• Feeling emotionally "numb", withdrawn, disconnected or different from others.
• Spontaneously crying, feeling a sense of despair and hopelessness.
• Feeling extremely protective of, or fearful for, the safety of loved ones.
• Not being able to face certain aspects of the trauma, and avoiding activities, places, or even people that remind you of the event.

Tips for Coping

It is normal to have difficulty managing your feelings after a major traumatic event. However, if you do not deal with the stress, it can be harmful to your mental and physical health. Here are some tips for coping in these difficult times:

• Talk about it. By talking with others about the event, you relieve stress and realize that others share your feelings.
• Spend time with friends and family. They can help you through this tough time. If your family lives outside the area, stay in touch by phone. If you have children, encourage them to share their concerns and feelings about the disaster with you.
• Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and exercise, and eat properly. If you smoke or drink coffee, try to limit your intake, since nicotine and caffeine can add to your stress.
• Limit exposure to images of the disaster. Repeatedly watching or reading news about the event will only increase your stress.
• Find time for activities you enjoy. Read a book, go for a walk, catch a movie or do something else you find enjoyable. These healthy activities can help you get your mind off the disaster and keep the stress in check.
• Take one thing at a time. For people under stress, an ordinary workload can sometimes seem unbearable. Pick one urgent task and work on it. Once you accomplish that task, choose the next one. “Checking off” tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and make things feel less overwhelming.
• Do something positive. Give blood, prepare care packages for people who have lost relatives or their homes or jobs, or volunteer in a rebuilding effort. Helping other people can give you a sense of purpose in a situation that feels ‘out of your control.’
• Avoid drugs and excessive drinking. Drugs and alcohol may temporarily seem to remove stress, but in the long run they generally create additional problems that compound the stress you were already feeling.
• Ask for help when you need it. If your feelings do not go away or are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function in daily life, talk with a trusted relative, friend, doctor or spiritual advisor about getting help. Make an appointment with a mental health professional to discuss how you are coping with the recent events. Don’t try to cope alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness!

Please contact the Flood Recovery Hotline at 615-567-3232 to receive more information about how to cope after this flood disaster.

If you were unable to call in and listen to the conference held by the Mental Health Association of Middle TN on August 31, 2010, you can listen to the conference here: (In Spanish only)

Dr. Jorge Boero talks about emotional recovery after a disaster.

Si Ud. Fue afectado por las inundaciones del 2010 y no pudo llamar y escuchar  la conferencia de La Asociación para la Salud Mental, el día 31 de Agosto.   Ud. puede escuchar lo que se hablo en la conferencia aquí! El Doctor Jorge Boero explica cómo recuperarse emocionalmente después de un desastre.

Audio recording on 8-31-10

If you were unable to call in and listen to the conference held on November 9, 2010, you can listen to the conference here: (In Spanish only) “How to best prepare for future disasters.”

Si Ud. no pudo llamar y escuchar la conferencia de La Asociación para la Salud Mental el día 9 de Noviembre, 2010. Ud. puede la puede escuchar aquí. En esta grabación escuchara un debate acerca de cómo preparar un mejor plan de acción ante un desastre natural.

Audio recording on 10-9-10