Disaster Rescue and Response Workers
Every year, millions of Americans are affected by earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Survivors face the danger of death or physical injury, and the loss of their homes possessions, and communities. Rescue workers -- police and fire fighters, National Guard members, emergency medical technicians, and volunteers -- are also at risk for behavioral and emotional re-adjustment problems as well as physical danger.
The psychological problems that may result from disaster experiences include:
Emotional reactions: temporary feelings i.e., for several days to a couple of weeks) of shock, fear, grief, anger, resentment, guilt, shame, helplessness, hopelessness, emotional numbness difficulty feeling love and intimacy, or in taking interest and pleasure in day-to-day activities
Cognitive reactions: confusion, disorientation, indecisiveness, worry, shortened attention span, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, unwanted memories, self-blame
Physical reactions: tension, fatigue, edginess, difficulty sleeping, bodily aches or pain, being startled easily, racing heartbeat, nausea, change in appetite, change in sex drive
Interpersonal reactions in relationships at school, work, in friendships, in marriage, or as a parent, such as: distrust, irritability, conflict, withdrawal, isolation, feeling rejected or abandoned, being distant, judgmental, or overcontrolling
Most disaster rescue workers only experience mild normal stress reactions, and disaster experiences may even promote personal growth and strengthen relationships. However, as many as one in three rescue workers experience some or all of the following severe stress symptoms, which may lead to lasting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or depression:
- Dissociation (feeling completely unreal or outside yourself, like in a dream; having "blank" periods of time you cannot remember
- Intrusive reexperiencing (terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Extreme attempts to avoid disturbing memories (such as through substance use
- Extreme emotional numbing (completely unable to feel emotion, as if utterly empty
- Hyperarousal (panic attacks; rage; extreme irritability; intense agitation
- Severe anxiety (paralyzing worry, extreme helplessness, compulsions or obsessions
- Severe depression (complete loss of hope, self-worth, motivation, or purpose in life
Rescue workers who directly experience or witness any of the following during or after the disaster are at greatest risk for severe stress symptoms and lasting readjustment problems:
- Life threatening danger or physical harm (especially to children)
- Exposure to gruesome death, bodily injury, or bodies
- Extreme environmental or human violence or destruction
- Loss of home, valued possessions, neighborhood, or community
- Loss of communication with/support from close relationships
- Intense emotional demands (such as searching for possibly dying survivors, or interacting with bereaved family members
- Extreme fatigue, weather exposure, hunger, or sleep deprivation
- Extended exposure to danger, loss, emotional/physical strain
- Exposure to toxic contamination (such as gas or fumes, chemicals, radioactivity
Studies also show that some individuals have a higher than typical risk for severe stress symptoms and lasting PTSD, including those with a history of:
- Exposure to other traumas (such as severe accidents, abuse, assault, combat, rescue work
- Chronic medical illness or psychological disorders
- Chronic poverty, homelessness, unemployment, or discrimination
- Recent or subsequent major life stressors or emotional strain (such as single parenting)
- Disaster stress may revive memories of prior trauma, as well as possibly intensifying pre-existing social, economic, spiritual, psychological, or medical problems.
Here are some ways to manage stress during a disaster operation:
- Develop a "buddy" system with a co-worker
- Encourage and support your co-workers
- Take care of yourself physically, with regular exercise and eating frequently in small quantities
- Take a break when you feel your stamina, coordination, or tolerance for irritation diminishing
- Stay in touch with family and friends
- Defuse briefly whenever you experience troubling incidents, and after each work shift
After the disaster:
- Attend a debriefing if one is offered, or try to get one organized, 2 to 5 days after leaving the scene
- Talk about feelings as they arise, and be a good listener to your co-workers
- Don't take anger too personally -- it's often an expression of frustration, guilt, or worry
- Give your co-workers recognition and appreciation for a job well done
- Eat well and try to get adequate sleep in the days following the event
- Maintain as normal a routine as possible, but take several days to "decompress" gradually
After returning home:
- Catch up on your rest (this may take several days)
- Slow down -- get back to a normal pace in your daily life
- Understand that it's perfectly normal to want to talk about the disaster, and equally normal not to want to talk about it; but remember that those who haven't been through it might not be interested in hearing all about it -- they might find it frightening, or simply be satisfied that you're back safely
- Expect disappointment, frustration, and conflict -- sometimes coming home doesn't live up to what you imagined it would be -- but keep recalling what's really important in your life and relationships so that small stressors don't lead to major conflicts
- Don't be surprised if you experience mood swings; they will diminish with time
- Don't overwhelm children with your experiences; be sure to talk about what happened in their lives while you were gone
Taking every day one-at-a-time is essential in disaster's wake. Each day is a new opportunity to FILL-UP:
- Focus Inwardly on what's most important to you and your family today;
- Look and Listen to learn what you and your signficant others are experiencing, so you'll remember what is important and let go of what's not;
- Understand Personally what these experiences mean to you as a part of your life, so that you will feel able to go on with your life and even grow personally.