By Joy Tsai Yuan Hung
Here in San Diego we recently felt the effects of a major earthquake nearby in Baja California. I am struck by the different reactions of people around me, ranging from excitement, curiosity, disbelief, to fearful, anxious, shaken up, and traumatized. All these emotions are different but adaptive ways that people use to deal with a big natural or disaster event which we can not control.
Earthquakes can be triggers for people emotionally because they are unpredictable, dangerous, and may cause substantial damage to our lives. They also bring up intense fear that we could die or that we might lose our loved ones. Some people may feel re-traumatized if they have had a past experience with earthquake that brought about serious physical or emotional damages to themselves or people close to them. After a big earthquake, people may feel stressed, not able to relax, excessively worried, afraid of being alone, irritable, fear of separation or abandonment, and helplessness.
People may feel vulnerable and out of control, but there are things one can do to be more prepared for the next earthquake and to feel empowered by being proactive. Things such as discussing disaster plan with family members and restocking disaster supplies. This may also be a great time to reconnect and spend time with family, friends and those important to us. Events like earthquakes that threatened physical or emotional safety may also bring about deeper exploration about how each of us chooses to live our lives, and urge us to contemplate the meaning of our existence.
Talking about difficult feelings and acknowledging them are extremely helpful in dealing with traumatic experience. All feelings and different ways of coping are accepted and seen as normal reactions after stress events. When feelings become too overwhelming or begin to interfere with our daily functioning, seeking professional help from a therapist may help people manage difficulties associated with trauma or shocks.
Therapy may help people become less anxious or fearful about the future. Furthermore, a therapist may help people who are ready to explore their existential meaning to rethink what they need to do to live fuller lives.
Earthquakes can be triggers for people emotionally because they are unpredictable, dangerous, and may cause substantial damage to our lives. They also bring up intense fear that we could die or that we might lose our loved ones. Some people may feel re-traumatized if they have had a past experience with earthquake that brought about serious physical or emotional damages to themselves or people close to them. After a big earthquake, people may feel stressed, not able to relax, excessively worried, afraid of being alone, irritable, fear of separation or abandonment, and helplessness.
People may feel vulnerable and out of control, but there are things one can do to be more prepared for the next earthquake and to feel empowered by being proactive. Things such as discussing disaster plan with family members and restocking disaster supplies. This may also be a great time to reconnect and spend time with family, friends and those important to us. Events like earthquakes that threatened physical or emotional safety may also bring about deeper exploration about how each of us chooses to live our lives, and urge us to contemplate the meaning of our existence.
Talking about difficult feelings and acknowledging them are extremely helpful in dealing with traumatic experience. All feelings and different ways of coping are accepted and seen as normal reactions after stress events. When feelings become too overwhelming or begin to interfere with our daily functioning, seeking professional help from a therapist may help people manage difficulties associated with trauma or shocks.
Therapy may help people become less anxious or fearful about the future. Furthermore, a therapist may help people who are ready to explore their existential meaning to rethink what they need to do to live fuller lives.
