Provide psychological support to your loved ones after the earthquake
Emphasizing that the recent Kahramanmaraş centered earthquakes have shocked us all, Uzm. Dr. Aysu Near Olgun stated that apart from those who were in the earthquake area and experienced the disaster personally, those who waited for news from their relatives, and even those who followed the news from the media, even though they had no direct knowledge , were psychologically affected by the earthquake.
“It can feel like the same event is happening again”
Saying what happened may reveal some feelings and symptoms, Uzm. Dr Aysu Yak Olgun said, “Emotions such as extreme fear, helplessness, horror, shock, not knowing what to feel, not responding, inability to cry or wanting to cry all the time, getting angry easily and general restlessness can occur. Stunning memories can be repeated in dreams, or the same moments can cross your mind from time to time throughout the day. All of this can make you feel like you’re reliving traumatic events,” he said.
“Recognize the Signs of Anxiety”
exp. Dr. While making suggestions for those who witnessed the earthquake, Olgun said, “Sometimes you may not want to talk about the event, you may want to avoid news or talk. You may not even remember part of the event in detail. If you’ve lost loved ones, you may have felt helpless and bound. Recognize the signs of fear. After the earthquake, you may feel threatened; It is normal for these symptoms to appear when someone feels threatened. Anxiety, tightness, frequent breathing, palpitations, dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue may occur. Over time, these symptoms will go away on their own as your anxiety subsides. If you don’t want to be in environments where these symptoms recur and worsen, try entering these environments with your family members until your anxiety subsides. Your most natural need is to view the images and want to be informed; but being exposed to the same images over and over can increase your exposure to trauma.
“The post-traumatic healing effect of social support”
Noting that emotions and sadness should not be suppressed, Uzm. Dr. Olgun said: “If you want to share your experience, don’t hesitate to talk to a family member who can listen to you. Maintain positive and good relationships. Social support has a post-traumatic healing effect. Do not use coping methods that negatively affect your health, such as the use of alcohol and cigarettes, and do not increase the amount. These can also negatively impact your physical health and self-care, making your symptoms worse over time. Continue to take healthy actions that relax you. If you feel very anxious, practice breathing exercises and relaxation exercises. These symptoms and situations are common in people who have experienced earthquake trauma. If these symptoms do not improve within two weeks and if they cause problems in your daily life, work and relationships, you should definitely seek help from a mental health professional.