Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, floods, such as the recent ones in Greece, landslides and other extreme events can lead to long-term stress symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Such disasters lead to particularly painful experiences and tend to traumatize large populations of people at the same time, although each person experiences each disaster in their own unique way and may bring about other emotional states, such as survivor’s guilt and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

The above points out, speaking to APE-MPE, the family psychotherapist – scientific associate of the Medical School of Athens (ATH Pre-educational Clinic AHEPA) Emilia Axiotidou stressing that natural disasters are becoming more and more frequent in recent years. It also notes that in 2022, the Emergency Event EM-DAT database recorded 387 natural hazards and disasters worldwide, resulting in the loss of 30,704 lives and affecting 185 million people, while economic losses amounted to approximately $223.8 billion.

Trauma, a wound that affects the mind and being

As Ms. Axiotidou explains, today there is a separation between physical and mental trauma and modern psychology approaches it from different perspectives.

“Mental trauma refers to a wound that affects our mind and existence, disrupts our daily life and changes our perspective on life, having a negative impact on people’s daily life and functioning. At this particular historical moment it is important to address the psychological trauma caused by violent natural disasters. It is a period where we are tested by intense phenomena. The fires that raged unceasingly, the current floods, the death of Antonis on the ship, the mass destruction in Libya do not leave anyone indifferent, even when our personal safety is not at stake for now. And just at the sight of these massive disasters, we can feel the vulnerability and fragility of our existence. The danger that the basic sense of security that we need to feel for survival is undermined affects our psyche in a shocking way,” adds Mrs. Axiotidou.

Referring to the effects of such a trauma, she points out that they can appear immediately with anxiety or take a long time to appear (post-traumatic stress) and make it difficult for a person to live a normal life in the future.

“There are traumatic experiences that have both short-term and long-term impact on the lives of children and adults who have experienced these sudden, unexpected life-threatening circumstances where there was no control and we felt unable to respond effectively no matter how hard we tried. People who have lost everything have nowhere to hold onto, cannot experience stability. Their daily lives have been shattered and the fear, the feeling of helplessness, the loss of control and the sense of annihilation is intense. It is very difficult for someone to move on with his life after such cataclysmic events,” says Mrs. Axiotidou.

At the same time, he notes that exposure to trauma is a key element that affects the development and functioning of both adults and children.

“The adult himself,” he says, “is greatly influenced by uncertainty, by fear and the deconstruction of the reality he lives. Let alone a child who needs to have a parent available and in mental contact with him. Especially, at a time when schools start and children have the need to enter a routine, stability and safety process”.

How should psychological trauma be treated after natural disasters?

It is important to put enough emphasis on the mental care of people who have suffered these mass disasters, says Ms. Axiotidou, adding that children rely on caregivers to cope with stressful events, so they need to be reassured that they receive reasonable explanations. to be able to manage and cope with this rapid change in their reality.

“With exposure to the same trauma, some can develop serious psychological or psychiatric conditions over time. Many of these children may experience long-term effects such as poor academic performance, post-traumatic stress disorder, bereavement, anxiety, depression and behavioral disorders. That is, we could teach children about mental resilience. It is important to ensure that there is at least one stable relationship with a relative or carer capable of providing support to the children. During traumatic events, such as natural disasters and the upheaval of everyday life with the loss of homes or even loved ones, people feel helpless and may have to live in camps or shelters without support from relatives or friends for long periods of time. . However, living with other survivors can also be a time to reconnect, to talk and share their experiences of the event and redefine the meaning of their lives. Being able to help another survivor can reduce the feeling of weakness and helplessness and help start the healing process,” concludes Ms. Axiotidou.