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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Tsunami on the Mind by Umangi de Mel The untold misery that the tsunami has left cannot be measured in terms of money. As time passes, many of those affected will have to come to terms with personal loss, loss of family, friends and those around them. It is the long-term psychological effect that it will have on the victims.
According to statistics, 59 schools are completely destroyed, over 91,000 houses damaged and over 30,000 have been killed. This is definitely a telling issue. Sri Lanka is getting both local and foreign aid, and this money will enable houses to be built. Schools may be re-opened, yet the mental agony can never be rooted out. "You must recognise the need to respond to immediate, mid-term and long-term emotional and mental responses of people affected and distressed by the tsunami," says Athula Sumathipala, Consultant Psychiatrist talking about the psychological problems caused by the recent disaster. He stresses that one should never use the word 'trauma'. "It's better to say 'psychological effects of the tsunami disaster'. The reaction ranges from psychological to physical symptoms which are absolutely normal and which can range from insomnia, nightmares, hopelessness, anger, guilt (survival guilt) physical symptoms, like loss of appetite and chest pain." Dr. Sumathipala says that these are normal following a disaster or a loss. It's basically a process of grief that people have to go through.
But none of these symptoms are abnormal. "We've got to normalise the symptoms than just trying to pathologise it. Grief reaction doesn't need any treatment or counselling. These are all normal reactions to extremely dangerous or stressful situations. This does not mean that these people are traumatised, mentally disturbed or mentally ill". He points out that the majority of those affected will not be able to cope with the situation in the mid and long-term. "Many will require psychosocial support in the initial stage and some will need specific psychological action in the mid-to long-term. Those who were mentally ill, before the disaster may require immediate mental healthcare services". Dr. Sumathipala says healthcare groups must realise that their existing abilities to cope should be strengthened. "It's a matter of supporting them during the difficult period. There's no need for counselling. We have many inherent ways of coping such as crying, being consoled by relatives and friends". He introduces certain methods that maybe used to support people to overcome these difficulties. DOs * Do listen to people who share their stories, even if they repeat. * Be friendly, compassionate and caring, even if people are angry or demanding. * Give practical help or assistance to people as and when required. * Help people to contact others either through post or making telephone calls on their behalf. * Engage people in meeting their own needs. * Find out where the government and non-government services are located and direct people to the appropriate services available in the area. * Understand the emotions of people who have suffered losses and take them seriously. There is no right or wrong way for people to feel, given the horrific situation, they have experienced. * Give reliable information about what tsunamis are and how they occur. This will help people understand the situation. * Protect people from further harm, as they may be vulnerable to assault and abuse by those who are taking advantage of the chaotic situation. Don'ts * Don't force people to share their stories with you, especially very personal details. If they don't want to talk much, do not disturb them. * Don't tell people what you think they should be feeling, thinking or doing. * Don't make promises about what you will do for them, if you are not sure about this. * Don't give simple reassurances to people, saying 'everything will be ok', or 'at least you have survived' or 'others have suffered more than you'. * Don't tell people why you think they have suffered especially giving reasons about their personal behaviours or beliefs. * Don't tell people what you think they should have or could have done, whilst in the critical situation, especially to save loved ones. * Don't criticise existing services and activities being carried out in these areas, especially in front of people who are in need of these services. Support the service providers to make the services better. * Don't separate surviving family members and relatives from one another if possible, especially children. * Don't label people as traumatised. |
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Those who survived are either displaced or feel lost. Some may even be
guilty that they are still living when their loved ones are no
more...Shaken to the core, survivors seem to consider themselves
unfortunate since they live to tell the tale.
According to him, people still grieving over personal losses will find
it difficult to cope for sometime. "The initial reaction would be the
disability to believe that it happened for real. After one or two days,
realisation will dawn and then that they will begin to react. They might
cry, weep or lament," he says, adding that it might also take four to
six weeks to come to terms with the loss and that it might take four to
six months to recover to a satisfactory level.
