PTSD post Hurricanes Irma and Maria

It is not unusual for people who have experienced traumatic events to have flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories when something terrible happens. For example, many Caribbean nationals who have lived through the recent passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria may be particularly vulnerable to PTSD.

Going through the traumatic moments of not knowing what to expect before the storm, trying to survive during the passage of the storm and then seeing the devastation to life, property and livestock can certainly scar the psychological well-being of these people.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a serious potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent personal assault, such as rape, or other life-threatening events. PTSD is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.

Most people who experience such events recover from them, but people with PTSD continue to be severely depressed and anxious for months or even years following the events.

Women are twice as likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder as men, and children can also develop it. PTSD often occurs with depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.

Persons who have been traumatized by the impact of these hurricanes who have PTSD may have trouble with their close family relationships or friendships. Their symptoms can cause problems with trust, closeness, communication, and problem solving, which may affect the way the survivor acts with others. In turn, the way a loved one responds to him or her affects the trauma survivor. A circular pattern may develop that could harm relationships.

Although many people may be traumatized by the passage and the destruction of these storms, important emphasis must be given to those who have lost loved ones. Families may be left without a breadwinner or children without mothers. Helping these people to understand what has happened and providing psychosocial support is a must.

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help the affected person to regain a sense of control over their life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but can also include medication if needed. Combining these treatments can help improve symptoms by teaching the necessary skills to address the symptoms. Treatment will help the affected person to think better about themselves, others and the world. Treatment also teaches ways to cope if any symptoms arise again.

Let us remember that people who may act strangely after the storm may be suffering psychologically and need help from all of us in moving on. Let us support our brothers and sisters.

Dr Rosmond Adams, MD is a medical doctor and a public health specialist with training in bioethics and ethical issues in medicine, the life sciences and research. He is the head of Health Information, Communicable Disease and Emergency Response at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). He is also a member of the World Health Organization Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of NCDs.

(The views expressed here are not written on behalf of CARPHA nor the WHO).