Hurricane Sandy may have other effects than downed trees and damaged homes.
Mental health experts say that residents affected by the Oct. 29 storm could suffer from the storm in emotional, interpersonal and physical ways as well.
Some of those ways could include becoming more argumentative, mistrustful or over-protective. People could suffer more headaches, stomachaches or have sleep problems. They may also have trouble concentrating and be less productive at work or school, to the consternation of teachers and employers.
"They are very common reactions when placed in life-threatening" or "very traumatic" situations, said Dr. James Korman, director of the Behavioral Health department at Summit Medical Group.
He said that people may initially be scared or in shock, which later could turn to anger. Sometimes reactions are delayed, Korman continued, but most will "resolve themselves within a few weeks to a few months."
Each person reacts differently to stress, and therefore symptoms vary widely. But there are "some very common reactions," Korman said. The hurricane claimed houses, trees, cars and businesses, leaving behind major repair costs and power outages that still lingered this week. As a result, people may feel angry, numb or vulnerable — "like anything can happen at any time," Korman said.
Part of personal recovery is acknowledging that this wasn't normal but it too will pass, said Nancy Rumore, director of community outreach at Hunterdon Behavorial Health.
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To help that happen, she recommends that individuals recall tough times they’ve gotten through in the past and use that inner strength to move on.
“I like to call it their “coping tool kit,” she says. “And do not expect too much of yourself. During any disaster or life crises you start by taking care of the most basic needs, getting through it. Now you have to re-enter your own life."
Time will heal, both professionals said, and to help that process along they recommend remaining connected with others, getting back into pre-hurricane routines or establishing new ones and helping others — a particularly easy route to take with Thanksgiving a week away and Hanukkah and Christmas around the corner.
Routines include sleep and mealtimes and activities such as hobbies and outings with friends, not just work or school schedules.
"Volunteer if you have the time, donate if you don't," Korman said. In fact, he said this will come naturally to some people post-hurricane, because they have emerged with a "sense of resilience. Some things that used to bother them, don't. They have a new-found sense of community, an improved view of the future" and the desire to connect more deeply with family, friends and neighbors.
Choosing a volunteer activity that "speaks to you" enables people to feel they are "giving something to the community, but also getting something back," Rumore says.
Disasters exert a “physical, emotional, environmental and financial toll,” Rumore said. “We have to figure out, ‘How do we adjust to this new normal?’”
What residents shouldn't do, said Korman, is "get angry or frustrated" with themselves. One way to keep perspective, he said, it to write out a list of what was gained from the experience, "not just what we lost."
And delay life-changing decisions for six to 12 months. "If something happened to your house, it's probably not a good time to sell and move to another part of the state," Korman said. "People's judgement isn't as good" after a disaster.
More than once, both professionals said it's important to keep talking about feelings, with friends, family, neighbors, clergy, anyone.
Those who aren't feeling better over time should turn to professionals, said Rumore and Korman.
"If you have a physical condition, you go to a medical doctor,” says Rumore. “Mental health is equally important.”
Other web sites Korman recommends for help include The American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes for Mental Health, the New Jersey Psychological Association, the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, or the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy.
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