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EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO HURRICANE KATRINA
Possible Reactions to a Hurricane
Reactions immediately following a hurricane may include emotional and physical exhaustion, fear, anxiety, confusion, disbelief, and grief. In some instances children may experience survivor guilt (e.g., that their home was left unharmed, while others were completely destroyed). The sights, sounds, and smells of a hurricane often generate fear and anxiety. Consequently, similar sensations (e.g., strong rain, thunder, or winds) may generate distress among children in the months that follow. Given the scale of Hurricane Katrina, individuals living outside the primary impact area may still feel exposed to the danger from local wind damage, flooding, the impact on family or friends, and television reports. Some children may also react to follow-up news coverage, and even weather reports that talk about hurricane related conditions after the fact.
With the passage of time and support most will be able to cope with their hurricane experiences. While all exposed to Hurricane Katrina can be expected to display initial crisis reaction, some may be at risk of more extreme and long-term reactions. The severity of reactions will depend on their specific risk factors. These include exposure to the hurricane, personal injury or loss of a loved one, relocation from their home or community, level of family support, the level of physical destruction, and pre-existing risks such as living in poverty, a previous traumatic experience, or pre-existing mental illness. Moreover, those who thought they were about to die or experienced the death of a friend or loved one are increasingly at risk.
In addition, those exposed to extended or severe deprivation, seeing dead bodies in the streets, and/or the violence in the days following the hurricane will have their own set of heightened risks. Not only were their experiences horrific, they very likely lost their homes, and have other family members who may have difficulty coping.
Attention must also be directed to the multiplicity of losses that accompany disaster of this magnitude. The tangible losses such as those of a home, pet, or a loved one all impact recovery, as do intangible factors including a decline in a sense of safety and security, and eroding trust in protective agents, which further lead to an increase in emotional distress.
Initial Common Crisis Reactions
Most who lived through the hurricane, will experience some sense of disorientation, confusion, regression, and anxiety. Other initial crisis reactions that might be expected at different age levels include:
Preschoolers-thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging to parents, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, fear of the dark, regression in behavior, and withdrawal from friends and routines.
Elementary School Children-irritability, aggressiveness, clinginess, nightmares, school avoidance, poor concentration, and withdrawal from activities and friends.
Adolescents-sleeping and eating disturbances, agitation, aggression, increase in conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior, and poor concentration.
Severe Crisis Reactions
Some survivors will be at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms can include those listed above that last for several weeks. Other symptoms may include re-experiencing the hurricane during dreams; anticipating or feeling that a hurricane is happening again; avoiding reminders of the hurricane; general numbness to emotional topics; and increased arousal symptoms such as an inability to concentrate and startle reactions. Some may also be at increased risk of suicide if they suffer from serious mental health problems like PTSD or depression. Survivors who exhibit these symptoms should be referred immediately for appropriate mental health evaluation and intervention.
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