Psychological rehabilitation after disaster

1. DATE – 28.07.17 PLACE – KAMALPURA AREA
RESCUED 100 PEOPLE, DISTRIBUTED 1000 FOOD PACKETS AND 1500
WATER POUCHES AND DISTRIBUTED MEDICINES TO THE PEOPLE OF
KAMALPURA.
DATE – 31.07.17 PLACE – KAMALPURA AREA
DISTRIBUTED RATION BAGS -55, WATER BOTTLE – 1000 IN VILLAGES
TELENA, CHHANIDHAR, KOLAPURA AND RAMESHWAR AND ALSO
CROSSED 150 PEOPLE TO BOTH SIDE OF VILLAGE IN GENERAL AREA
KAMALPURA

3. WHO defines disaster as an occurrence
causing
damage, economic destruction, loss of
human lives and deterioration in health
services
on a scale warranting an extraordinary
response from outside the community or
area.

4. Disaster Management
As per Disaster Management Act, 2005,
“disaster management” means a continuous and
integrated process of planning, organising,
coordinating and implementing measures which are
necessary or expedient for:
(i) Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster
(ii) Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its
severity or consequences;

7. 1. Pre – Disaster: Before a disaster to reduce the potential
for human, material or environmental losses caused
by hazards and to ensure that these losses are
minimized when the disaster actually strikes.
2. During Disaster: It is to ensure that the needs and
provisions of victims are met to alleviate and
minimize suffering.
3. Post Disaster: After a disaster to achieve rapid and
durable recovery which does not reproduce the
original vulnerable conditions
Key Phases of Disaster Management

9. The victim and their kith and kin go through a
traumatic experience that is beyond description
No disaster management programme can
succeed if the psyche of those affected is not kept
into view
Panic management and post-trauma counselling,
an important part of disaster rehabilitation
package

11. Stress management
Stress management is a wide spectrum of
techniques and psychotherapies aimed at
controlling a person’s level of stress , usually
for the purpose of improving everyday
function

12. Impact of Disasters on Mental Health
Most children, as well as,
adult survivors of the
disasters, experienced one or
more of the following stress
reactions for several days:
Emotional reactions:
temporary feelings of shock….. Fear, grief,
anger, resentment, guilt, shame, helplessness,
hopelessness or emotional numbness….

13. Interpersonal reactions: at workplace, at school,
in friendships, in marriage or as a parent,
distrust, feeling rejected or abandoned, being
distant
Physical reactions: tension, fatigue, sleeping
disorder, bodily aches or pain fast heartbeat,
nausea change in appetite and in sex drive
Cognitive reactions: confusion, disorientation,
indecisiveness, worry, shortened attention span
memory loss, unwanted memories,
Impact of Disasters on Mental Health

14. Basic Principles of Emergency Care
Provide basic survival needs and comfort
Help survivors achieve restful and restorative
sleep
Preserve an interpersonal safety zone, protecting
basic personal space
Silent companionship, small talk about current
events, use of humour.
Address immediate physical health problems.
Reconnect survivors with loved ones, friends,
and other trusted people
Help them to take practical steps to resolve
problems

15. Initial Mental-Health Interventions- stages
Protect: protect from further harm and further
exposure to traumatic stimuli. If possible create a
shelter or safe haven for them, protect survivors
from onlookers and the media
Connect: with loved ones,
with accurate information and
appropriate resources
with where they will be able to receive
additional supportTriage
Select: identifying key resources such as Red
cross, local health department

16. Dealing with the human psyche in the aftermath of
Disaster

17. Dealing with the human psyche in the aftermath of
Disaster
Disaster survivors normally experience a range of
psychological and physiology reaction
Survivors reaction may become more intense as
the extent of disruption to their lives increase.
Their reaction would depend on the nature of
their strength and resilience, which further
depends upon several factors:

18. Dealing with the human psyche
in the aftermath of Disaster
Prior experience with similar events
Intensity of disruption
The emotional strength of the individual
Degree of pessimistic feelings which sets the
stage for panic
The duration of time elapsed since the
occurrence of the disaster events

19. Shock and denial are typical responses to
disaster and other kind of trauma specially shortly
after the event
Both shock and denial are normal protective
reactions.

20. Stress after event of
Disaster

21. Thought and behaviour pattern are affected by
the trauma. The sufferer might have repeated and
vivid memories of the event. These flashbacks may
occur for no apparent reason and may lead to
physical reactions such as heart beat or sweating

22. Recurring emotional reactions are common.
Anniversaries of the event, such as at one month
or one year, as well as reminder of the event such
as after shock from the earthquake or the sounds
of the sirens, can triggered upsetting memories of
the traumatic experience

23. Interpersonal relationships often become
strained. Greater conflict, such as more
frequent arguments with family members and
co-workers is common
Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea and
chest pain that may require medical attention

25. Important- No Standard pattern of reaction to the
extreme stress condition caused by traumatic
experiences
Time required for the recovery
Some people respond immediately, while others have
delayed reactions
Some suffers for a long period of time, while others
recover rather quickly
Some victims are energized initially, and feel geared up to
face the challenges of coping, only to become discouraged
or depressed later

26. The following however are normal response to a
traumatic events:
Feelings become intense and are sometimes
unpredictable.
The victim may become more irritable than usual
and the mood may change back and forth
dramatically.
The victim might be especially anxious or nervous,
or even become depressed

27. Factors that affect the duration of time
required for recovery
The degree of intensity and loss
A person’s general ability to cope with
emotionally challenging situation
Other stressful events preceding the traumatic
experience: - challenging situations, such as
serious health problems or family related
difficulties

28. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) is a serious
psychological reaction that develops in some
people following experience of serious traumatic
events.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that results from
intense horror, fear, or helplessness in response to
very traumatic events, such as military combat,
violent personal assaults, severe vehicle accidents,
natural disaster……..etc.

29. People vulnerable to develop PTSD
Anyone who is victimized or
has witnessed a violent act or
who has been repeatedly
exposed to life threatening
situation
Survivors of unexpected events
Professional who respond to victims in trauma
situations, such as EMS worker, police
personnel, Fire fighters, military and search and
rescue workers

30. Survivors of
domestic violence or
intimate partner
violence, Rape or
sexual assault,
Physical assault
Children who are neglected or sexually, physically
or verbally abused
People vulnerable to develop PTSD

31. Symptoms of PTSD
Dissociation( feeling completely unreal or outside
one, like in dream, having blank period of time one
can not remember
Intrusive re-experiencing (nightmare or
flashbacks)
Extreme emotional numbing (completely unable
to feel emotions)
Hyper arousal (panic attacks)
Severe anxiety
Severe depression (complete loss of hope)

32. Impact phase
Immediate post
disaster phase
Recovery phase

33. Therapies for PTSD victims
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): it include
- Exposure therapy
- cognitive therapy
- stress-inoculation training
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(EMDR)
Psychodynamic therapy Group therapy
Family therapy
Hypnosis medication

34. Mental Health Management of Disaster Rescue
and Response workers
Develop a buddy system with co-worker
Encourage and support your co-workers
Take care of yourself physically by exercising
regularly and eating small quantity of food
frequently
Take a break when you feel your stamina,
coordination, or tolerance go down
Stay in touch with family and friends
Managing stress during a Disaster operation

35. Managing stress after
the Disaster ops
Attend a debriefing
Talk about feelings as they arises and be a good
listener to your co- workers
Don’t take anger too personally- its often an
expression of frustration guilt or worry
Give your coworkers recognition and
appreciation for a job well done
Eat well and try to get adequate sleep
Maintain normal routine

36. Managing stress after
the returning home
Slow down- get back to normal pace in your
daily life
Understand that it is perfectly normal to want to
talk about the Disaster and equally normal not
want to talk about it
Except disappointment, frustration and conflict
Don’t surprised if you experienced mood
swings, that will diminish with time
Hobbies and work on quality time is
recommended

37. Counseling is the systematic and
scientific manner of providing
techniques and tips for coping with
trauma and stress.