ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The recent tornadoes that struck northwest Arkansas may have left some people with lasting psychological effects.
For example, cleaning up fallen trees on property or waiting for insurance claims to be processed are new stressors people didn’t have to worry about at this time last week. Dawn Spragg, director of therapeutic care at Teen Action and Support Center in Rogers, said those are normal.
“Natural disasters are thought of as a trauma, a collective trauma,” Spragg said. “Everybody experiences it in some way.”
Spragg said people who may be experiencing some form of mental decline may be going through any of the stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression or acceptance – and may also be feeling increasingly irritable.
“It’s an unnecessary frustration,” Spragg said. “You get angry over little things that normally wouldn’t make you angry.”
Spragg said some things people can do to overcome the anxiety of disaster recovery include taking time for themselves, doing the things they enjoy, resting and eating right.
Bonnie Snyder of Rogers woke up Sunday morning to find a tree had fallen on her car. She is now unable to drive. She said when she saw it, “my mind just went blank” because it was hard to comprehend what she was looking at.
Snyder said she and her family are managing their emotions well, given the damage the storm caused, but it’s a feeling she won’t forget.
“It’s probably going to be with me for the rest of my life,” Snyder said. “It’s been awful.”
Spragg said that’s OK, and that the time it takes for people to recover and recover from the storm varies.
Spragg suggested talking to others who have had similar severe weather experiences, but if you feel like you’re causing trouble to others, Spragg said seeking professional help is also an option to consider.
She said now is a critical time for people to remain diligent in maintaining their mental health.
“The grief is going to last for a while,” Spragg said, “and the frustration is going to last for a while, so it’s important for them to be able to rest and process their emotions and talk to people about how hard it’s been. I think that’s really important so they can continue to deal effectively with the issues they’re going to have to deal with.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Disaster Crisis Hotline is 1-800-985-5990. Confidential counseling and support for disaster victims is available by phone and text 24 hours a day.
