Turkey is located in the earthquake zone due to its location. Therefore, we are often faced with the reality of earthquakes. Once again, we faced this reality with the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake in our country. While the individuals affected by the earthquake experience both physical and psychological trauma, it is important to protect each person’s psychology in this process.
What is earthquake trauma?
It is a form of trauma experienced by individuals who are directly or indirectly exposed to an earthquake.
Post-earthquake stress disorder
If a person still experiences the trauma after one month, remembers it over and over again, feels as if it is new, and as a result experiences fear, anxiety, and anxiety, it means that the person is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can individuals exposed to trauma after the earthquake protect their mental health?
- Individuals affected by the earthquake should first continue their daily routines and engage in activities that will do them good.
- Individuals affected by the earthquake can protect their mental health by sharing their fears and concerns by talking about the traumatic event they have experienced and the impressions they have created.
- Individuals affected by the earthquake should pay attention to their daily sleep and pay attention to their balanced diet.
- They should share their fears and anxieties with each other by spending time with their family, friends or environment, or with a support group.
- They can cope with stress by learning methods of coping, breathing exercises and relaxation exercises.
- One should avoid watching the news constantly and watching videos about earthquakes.
When should a person seek psychological support?
It may vary according to the severity of the earthquake experienced by the individuals after the earthquake, according to their personality traits, environmental factors and coping with stress. As a process, it is considered normal for individuals to experience emotions very intensely in the first month. However, if he experiences intense emotions again after the first month, it may also be an indicator of post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, if the individuals affected by the earthquake still do not have any decrease in their fears, uneasiness and worries after 1 month and there is deterioration in the functionality of the person, they may need to receive psychological support.
What is earthquake psychology and how should it be approached?
After the occurrence of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, in addition to feelings such as surprise, fear, anger, helplessness, loss of control, and fear of death; may also experience palpitations, tremors, dry mouth, and constant vigilance. In some individuals, the behavior of introversion and alienation from people can be observed. All of these experienced situations are extremely natural and should be emotions and behaviors. In the earthquake process, instead of suppressing or not remembering it; They should be allowed to experience emotions such as fear, anger, helplessness, and powerlessness, and they should allow those around them to experience these emotions as well. In this process, emotions should be allowed to be experienced and expressed rather than sayings such as “don’t be afraid, it’s gone”.
What should be the approach to people who lost their relatives in the earthquake?
First of all, it is to listen to the individuals who lost their relatives in the earthquake, to feel that they are with them, to let them cry if they want to cry, and to help them as much as necessary. At this point, one of the important points to be considered is not to force them to speak. If they want to talk, it’s important to listen to their talk and support them.
Unnecessary talk and behavior should be avoided. For example, statements and actions such as “you are lucky, you survived, thank God for this” should be avoided.
