Recently, negative experiences related to earthquakes have caused many people's mental health to be negatively affected. Especially in our country, traumatic experiences related to earthquakes in the past lead to the triggering of trauma and related mental disorders.
Any event that shakes, hurts or injures an individual's mental and physical health in many ways is called "trauma". However, not every event that creates sadness and distress in human life creates psychological trauma. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, traumatic experiences such as war, torture and rape, contracting serious diseases, unexpected deaths and accidents are among the types of trauma that are stated to cause psychological distress.
The symptoms of Traumatic Stress Disorder are as follows: Death of the person, serious Recurrent, involuntary, distressing memories,
Dreams, as a result of encountering many events such as injury or sexual assault.
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Dreams ,
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The person's perception of the environment in an unreal way,
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The person feels like he is watching himself from the outside (feeling of separation from his body),
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Psychological distress, physiological reactions to stimuli related to the experienced event (insomnia, difficulty in concentration, headache, tachycardia, etc.),
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Continuous avoidance of stimuli related to traumatic events (such as not going to the place where the event occurred),
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Negative changes in thoughts and mood regarding the events (such as anxiety, anger, restlessness),
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Signs of arousal (feeling on edge, taking extreme precautions, showing extreme reactions such as startling to sudden sounds and movements, etc.),
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Showing no reaction,
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These symptoms have persisted for more than 1 month.
In the community surveys regarding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder conducted as a result of the 17 August earthquake, the prevalence rates were found to be 20%, 47% in tents, and 63% in those applying for treatment. (Öztürk and Uluşahin, 2016).
In the general population research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, it is seen throughout life. It is seen that the frequency of death varies between 1% and 14%. This rate varies between 5%-6% in men and 10%-14% in women (Breslau et al., 1991; Kessler et al., 1995; Perkonigg et al., 2000; Şalcıoğlu, 2001). The reason it is more common in women is that women are more likely to be exposed to traumatic events such as rape and forms of interpersonal violence.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is most commonly seen in this age range, as there is a high probability of being exposed to traumatic events during young adulthood. A person's high level of childhood trauma increases the risk of suicide. Having social support before traumatic events occur is a protective factor for the person.
Risk Factors
Psychological disorders experienced in childhood, pre-existing psychological disorders (e.g. Panic Disorder, Depression or Obsessive Disorder) (such as Compulsive Disorder), low socioeconomic level, mental retardation, racial/ethnic status, psychological disorders in the family history, low education level, gender, and being young are risk factors.
The nature of the trauma is also important in terms of risk factors. Perceived life threat, being subjected to violence by the caregiver or witnessing violence against the caregiver, inappropriate coping methods, exposure to recurring sad memories, later life events, and losses are other risk factors.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Earthquake
In addition to causing great geographical destruction in the region where the earthquake occurs, it also affects people's lives physiologically and It is a natural disaster that affects deeply psychologically.
Studies show that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs in 20% of people who experienced the earthquake. The fact that the number of people affected, especially after earthquakes, is quite high reveals the seriousness of this issue. The severity of the trauma also affects the degree of its psychological impact. Being trapped under rubble during an earthquake, relatives Losing one's life, damage to the house, and the degree of fear experienced during the earthquake are important risk factors.
Trauma-related symptoms may appear hours or days later in most people. It is observed that it occurs even after years in some individuals. In individuals who experience a traumatic event such as an earthquake, symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder appear in the first days, but many people experience improvement in these symptoms within days or weeks. However, for some people, the improvement of symptoms takes a longer period. In such cases, avoiding the symptoms and acting as if the event never happened causes the problems to become more severe.
Treatment Methods for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The first psychological aid after the earthquake is to ensure that the person is physiologically and psychologically relaxed, to provide social to encourage them to get support and to provide information about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A person should not be forced to talk about their experiences if they do not want to. When he feels ready and shares his experience, he should be listened to with an empathetic attitude. Motivation should be provided to reorganize one's life, it should be stated that the process he is experiencing is a temporary process, and it should be stated that traumatic experiences may cause problems with attention and focus, and that attention should be paid in situations that require attention, such as driving.
Dietary habits, sleep hygiene, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and substance use, not disrupting daily activities, and doing activities that express feelings and thoughts (such as keeping a diary, painting) will be effective in reducing a person's symptoms of PTSD. If there is no improvement in the symptoms despite applying these suggestions, if the symptoms have been present for more than 1 month and the person is experiencing impairments in functionality in areas such as work, school and social life, it would be the right choice to consult a specialist.
Drug treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. and psychological treatments are used. Traumatic symptoms may appear in different patterns in each person. same thing Likewise, the reactions given during and after an earthquake are affected by factors such as the severity of the earthquake, personality structure, and past experiences. Therefore, determining an individual-specific treatment is the right approach.
Antidepressants may be recommended in drug treatments for PTSD. However, these treatments should be continued under the control of a psychiatrist.
Psychotherapies should be carried out by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists who have training and experience in this field. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR may be recommended for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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