Flood of emotions happening now

Water causes more than property damage. It brings a flood of emotions.

How we deal with the emotional flood may affect how well we recover from natural disasters.

Most people are very quick to take care of what needs to be done: sandbagging, packing, helping neighbors. “Let’s take care of what can be done.” At the same time people experience disbelief: “This can’t possibly be happening!” This emotional duality allows people to keep working for survival. But there may be a sense of unreality during the disaster. Other powerful feelings may surface: panic/feeling out of control, anger, generosity toward others, despair, anxiety/uncertainty, disorientation.

At times, flood preparations can pull whole neighborhoods together by working, sandbagging and preparing. There is a sense of teamwork. It can be an experience that helps people get to know each other in a special way. The full force of the emotional flood will hit after the floodwaters recede. That’s when exhaustion sets in. As people look at their real losses, they may experience grief, desperation and depression. People need to be prepared to pay more attention to their emotional reactions and to the reactions of friends and neighbors once the emergency crews go home.

One of the first things people can do is pull together and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance! Many people are around who want to help and will help. They just need to know what to do that will be most helpful right now. Another important coping strategy is taking care of your physical and emotional needs. Eat a balanced diet to fuel your energy. As much as possible, get enough sleep. Fatigue will slow you down during an emergency. As you prepare, pack, sandbag or check your farmland or livestock, talk with others about your feelings. Listen to theirs. Together, look for the positives in the situation.

Talking Can Ease The Pain

Floodwaters will subside, but the emotional stress may keep rising for people who have experienced losses. Pain from loss and tough times can be eased when people keep talking with each other. Friends and neighbors, parents and children, and couples need to talk about what they are feeling.

When people stop talking with others who have suffered loss or who are facing financial trouble, they send the message that they don’t care. Rather than feeling indifference, friends and neighbors may be caught up in their own losses, uncertainties and problems. Those who were not hurt directly by the floods may feel guilty and not know what to say.

Children especially need help in regaining a sense of security. They may see changes in their parents and think that they are somehow to blame for increased tension. Talking together and being honest yet reassuring about problems the family faces can help children feel more in control.

If money is tight, parents can ask children to help think of ways the family can work together to keep expenses down. Parents need to be sure children don’t blame themselves for tough economic times.

Couples who are facing losses may find that each spouse copes differently with the stress. No one reaction is right. The important thing is to keep talking things over and to show love and affection toward each other.

For emotional support, contact Mental Health America of North Dakota 24/7 free at 2-1-1 or 1-800-472-2911. For flood cleanup information, go to NDSU Extension Web site: www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/flood.html or contact the County Office at 252-9030. Eunice Sahr, Extension Agent, can be reached at the above number or via email at Eunice.sahr@ndsu.edu.

Tags: community, flood, damage, property, finance, emotion