Guest Column
m
m
Stress symptoms
after events like the
storm are normal
Dozens of local residents expe-
rienced traumatic situations relat-
ed to the deadly storm
that hit Avalon last week.
Whether the experi-
ence was related to wit-
nessing a death or injury
to another person, being
injured yourself, having
a boat destroyed (which
in many cases was also a
home or business), fear-
ing for a loved one in
danger, risking your own
life or health to help oth-
ers, or any number of
other crisis situations that
occurred on the night of
Wednesday, Dec. 30, many Island
residents may be experiencing the
continuing effects of having suf-
fered an acute trauma.
It is important to know that after
experiencing a traumatic event, it
can be normal for people to have
a variety of reactions, including:
depression, nightmares, increased
startle reactions, muscle tension,
sleep disturbance, fatigue, feel-
ing easily overwhelmed, difficulty
concentrating, d!fficulty mak-
ing decisions, disbelief, moodi-
ness, irritability, feeling "numb"
and/or apathetic, feelings of guilt,
extreme anxiety or worry, fear,
anger, or withdrawal.
These are normal stress-relat-
ed symptoms that will typically
resolve without professional help
within a month.
For your mental health
it is helpful to take care
of yourself during the
aftermath of a crisis situ-
ation.
Dawn
Sampson
Guest Columnist
Tips for taking care
of yourself
You can take care of
yourself by doing the
following: exercise, get
adequate sleep, drink
plenty of water, eat nutri-
tious and easy-to digest
foods, allow yourself to
cry and to express feel-
ings, use your social support sys-
tem (don't spend too much time
alone), accept help from others,
notice positives/don't blame your-
self or others, limit your deci-
sion-making to just today's needs,
engage in calming activities (listen
to music, get a massage, meditate
and/or pray, take deep breaths,
take a hot bath or shower, visual-
ize a peaceful scene, etc.), avoid
alcohol or other drugs (they may
delay recovery).
Children also experience
stress from trauma
If you are the parent of a child
who has experienced a trauma, it
is important to know that children
may experience many of the same
symptoms as adults.
They may also have trouble
in school, or regress to an ear-
lier stage of development (such as
when a child who has been fully
toilet-trained starts wetting the
bed).
Tips for parents
Parents can help children
through the effects of a traumatic
situation by letting them know
you are willing to talk and really
listening to them, answering ques-
tions simply and honestly, reas-
suring your child of his/her safety
and security, letting your child
know he/she is not to blame for
the situation, maintaining normal
daily routines as much as pos-
sible, and remember that your own
trauma reactions will affect your
child.
For both adults and children it
can be helpful to limit exposure
to disturbing television, newspa-
per and/or Facebook reports about
the incident, which can re-trigger
stress reactions.
Where to go for help
It is recommended to seek the
help of a counselor for yourself or
your child if symptoms last longer
than a month, if you are unable
to eat or sleep for an extended
period, or if you are experiencing
any suicidal thoughts.
For information on mental
health services available in Avalon
and/or on the mainland please
call the Catalina Island Medical
Center's social services depart-
ment at 310-510-0520.
For more information on deal-
ing with disaster-related trau-
mas, please see the U.S. Dept.
of Veteran's Affairs website at:
http://www.pt sd.va.gov/public/
types/disasters/index.asp.
Dawn Sampson is a licensed
clinical social worker, and the
Director of Social Services at the
Catalina Island Medical Center.
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THE CATALINA ISLANDER Friday, January 9, 2015 == 5
