Psychological Effects of the Earthquake: How to Overcome Stress and Trauma?

The recent earthquake, centered in Kahramanmaraş and affecting 10 provinces, reminded us again that we are an earthquake country. Earthquake is a natural cycle that affects every aspect of life at different intensities.

Earthquakes have devastating effects both on settlements and human psychology. As in the aftermath of any natural disaster, traumatic effects can occur after an earthquake. These traumatic effects differ for each person. Therefore, it can sometimes take weeks, months, years to overcome the stress and traumas experienced.

Even if people are not exposed to the earthquake, post-disaster trauma effects can occur in people who follow the earthquake through mass media. In this article, we will talk about the psychological effects of the earthquake and ways to cope with the trauma.

What are the Psychological Effects of Depression?

Natural disasters such as earthquakes have different psychological effects on each person. These effects may vary depending on the conditions of the affected area, the severity of the earthquake, the loss of life and the psychological state of the person. People exposed to earthquakes may experience traumatic symptoms after the event. They worry that a similar event may happen again. This anxiety can negatively affect daily life by posing a threat to themselves or their loved ones. In order to achieve normalization, it is necessary to overcome the pain in a short time. Otherwise, serious social disruptions may occur at the social level.

People affected by earthquakes are exposed to psychosocial factors in the short, medium and long term. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, fear and guilt are among the most common mood disorders on human psychology. After the earthquake, human psychology undergoes pacification and recovery processes after the shock experienced.

If there is no recovery after the shock of a disaster, social fractures will occur. In order to maintain the normalization process, the effects of the trauma should be minimized. Experts say that the shock of the event should be overcome within 4-6 weeks after the disaster and return to normal life, otherwise, if the trauma is prolonged, the social order will be disrupted.

Recommendation:What is Disaster Psychology? What are its effects on human beings?

What are the effects of the traumas caused by the earthquake?

Trauma is the deterioration of a person's physical and mental well-being as a result of the continuing effects of negative situations. Changes in mood after an earthquake lead to psychological trauma. It has effects on human psychology such as shock, panic, fear, anxiety, sadness and anger. The effects of the traumas caused by the earthquake are as follows;

• Having difficulty remembering events
• Fear that the incident will happen again
• Feeling intense emotions of shock, panic, fear, sadness, anger
• Sensitivity to every stimulus
• Fear of being alone
• Feeling the need to be constantly on guard
• Showing signs of loss of appetite, restlessness, irritability
• Having difficulty focusing
• Experiencing sleep disturbances

For more information about the traumatic effects of the earthquake, Prof. Dr. Tarhan told: How to overcome the psychological effects of an earthquake and Earthquake and its Traumatic Effects.

How to Overcome Stress and Trauma

• People should not be forced to do behaviors they do not want to do.
• Allow him to express his feelings freely.
• Comments that suppress one's feelings should be avoided.
• Cigarette, tea, coffee consumption should be reduced as it agitates the nervous system.
• An environment where the person is mentally and physically safe should be prepared.
• A plan to organize daily life should be created.

There is no set standard for methods to help people cope with post-disaster trauma. A method should be determined according to the individual's psychological state, living conditions and level of applicability. The person should be aware that he/she is going through a very difficult process before starting the healing process.

In conclusion;

Every traumatic event is followed by mood changes that lose their effect after a certain period of time. Post-earthquake trauma agitates the nervous system and causes emotional problems. Contributing to the mental and physical development of the person after the mental distress is very important for psychological recovery.

To learn more about the effects of natural disasters on human beings and ways to cope with these effects, please visitWhat is Disaster Psychology? What are the Effects on Humans?" For the investigations of Üsküdar scientists in the earthquake zone, click on Usküdar researchers in the earthquake zone.