COPING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THE FLOODS

Extensive flooding touches the lives of thousands of people. For many, the disaster continues as a very real presence: endless work repairing property, financial problems, prolonged stress and tension, and feelings of sadness, depression, frustration and anxiety.

Learning to recognize the normal reactions and emotions that occur following a disaster can help you better understand these feelings and become more comfortable and effective in coping with them.

It is very common for people to experience a wide range of emotional reactions to a flood disaster.

Signs of stress to look for:

Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Difficulty making decisions
Frequently replaying the events and circumstances of the flood in your mind
Feeling depressed, sad or down much of the time
Experiencing anxiety or fear, especially when things remind you of the flood

How to cope and what works:

Talk to others about your feelings
Take "time off" from cares, worries and home repairs
Don't let yourself become isolated
Pay close attention to your health

Older adults probably have many of the same reactions and feelings already mentioned. However, some feelings and reactions can be different or greater and it's important to ask for support when it's needed.

Special considerations for the elderly include some common feelings such as:

Current losses trigger memories or feelings associated with prior losses
Fear of dependency or lack of self-sufficiency
Worry about limited financial resources and time to rebuild
Fear of institutionalization
Fear of a decline in health and limitations on mobility and ability to rebuild

Some common reactions:

Withdrawal and isolation even from family and friends
Concealing the full extent of the disaster's impact
Apathy-no longer caring to rebuild or start over
Confusion and disorientation

In every child's life there are occasional upsets and frustrations, but the trauma that can result from a disaster like flooding can affect a child for months, even years. Some children may not seem to express their distress until months after the event.

Signs of stress in children include:

Any unusual complaints of illness
Isolation from the rest of the group
Changes behavior/expression
Difficulty concentrating
Poor performance

Ideas for helping children cope:

Create opportunities for children to talk about their feelings and what happened
Respond to questions, repeat information and provide ongoing reassurance
Provide play experiences to relieve tension
Be especially loving and supportive

Mental health professionals are available at Disaster Recovery Centers which have been established in Lodi, Wayne, and Somerville. Residents should also call the State Mental Health Information Hotline at 1-800-382-6717 for information or assistance with mental health services.