By Lynn Hagan, PsyD, CTRL, LCSW

	Introduction
	Changing Fear and Rage Into Support
	Behaviors That Can Hinder Recovery

Introduction

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many Americans, especially those affected first hand, are trying to cope with the horrendous aftermath and others want to respond in some way to help survivors. This tip sheet offers practical advice for dealing with this high profile natural disaster, whether you are on the frontlines or helplessly watching from your home.

Most of us, at some time or another, have witnessed traumatic events, either in person or vicariously through television, newspapers, and other media outlets.

Here are some general tips on how to begin the healing process:

• Turn Off the Television. Constant repetition of traumatic events and reactions can increase the experience of trauma. Tune in enough to know what is happening in the world, but release yourself from the grip of repetitive traumatic presentations. Make sure children have limited and supervised exposure to the media coverage, as the repetitive pictures and stories can easily overwhelm and traumatize children.

• Talk to Others. Trauma can affect us more deeply when we isolate ourselves. We may do best if we keep share our feelings and thoughts with one another.

• Let Your Feelings Out. There is no shame in having grief, fear, rage, and sorrow. We have reason to feel these feelings. It may be best to let ourselves feel them and to reveal them to people we trust.

• Take Care of Yourself. Be kind to yourself during a traumatic time when rage is the rule of the day. Allow time for rest, for calm, and for comfort to re-enter your life. This may be a challenge at first, but deliberate attention to self-care will help you have the energy to help others.

• Allow Yourself to Find a Peaceful Core Within Yourself. Take time to slow down, rest, and let your emotional reactions settle. Let your attention go within. We each have a place within from which we derive strength and where we know what is true, what is right, and what we need to do. Find that place of strength within yourself.

• Here Is the Challenge: The Atmosphere of Rage and Fear. After traumas occur, many people experience the “fight or flight” instinct. On a collective level, these forces can unleash more trauma if not held in check by compassion, reason, caution, and understanding. Do not unintentionally take out your hurt and rage on others who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Changing Fear and Rage to Support

Here is how we may change the traumatic responses of fear and rage to support our lives:

• Let your fear tell you what you treasure. We fear for ourselves and our loved ones, for all of what we love, and the lives we live everyday. Give support and love to the people and things that matters most to you.

• Let your anger fuel your support of what you care about. Anger is a force that we can use to support action toward what we love.

• Let your anger, pain, and fear bring us together as a world. We may allow our pain and fear and rage to continue to tear us apart, or we may recognize that we are all in pain, in rage, and in fear, and we all want what is precious to us to survive.

Behaviors That Can Hinder Recovery

• Persistent reexperiencing of the traumatic event – for example, flashbacks, nightmares, or recurring and constant images;

• Persistent avoidance of stimulation associated with the trauma – such as avoiding people or places or images associated with the trauma;

• Numbing of general responsiveness – such as loss of feelings of love, connection, or any feelings at all; and

• Persistent symptoms of increased arousal – such as hyper-alertness, easily startled, and/or irritability.

These symptoms or stress reactions may arise just from exposure to this catastrophe, or they may arise from the triggering of previous public or personal traumas you may have experienced. If the symptoms persist, you may wish to see a mental health professional, especially one trained in treating trauma. The American Red Cross is just one national organization coordinating emergency mental health as well as a national disaster response to Hurricane Katrina. For more information, please log onto www.redcross.org or www.socialworkers.org to find mental health and disaster response services.

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