Abstract This paper deals with “Psychological challenges when there is a significant loss of life. ” In the event of significant loss of life, whether in your company or family during any tragedy there will be complaints and issues that prevail. If you are not properly trained or properly trained it is essential to look outside the box on the unexplained complaints for an underlying condition that is dormant within the mind. This could range from undetected anxiety, undetected depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Children may be the most vulnerable to undetected anxiety. Keywords: loss of life, psychological challenges, traumatic events The eight year war in Afghanistan and the persistent threat of terror within the borders of our own country has had an overwhelming impact on many if not all Americans, whether if they are directly or indirectly involved in the loss of someone. Nowadays it is very important for healthcare providers and agencies that provide psychological assistance to recognize and gauge the impact of war and loss of life dealing with their patients.
The 9/11 attacks have caused great stress on some people that were directly affected. But, when a terrorist level changes or attempted attack, everybody is glued to the TV awaiting the outcome. Even though the information is being funneled by the media it has caused most people psychological affects. For example before 9/11, I wasn’t in tune to what was going on around me, but since 9/11 I have been trying to catch every detail of an event and making sure I won’t be affected in anyway. Since, I am a United Armed Forces Soldier; I am affected in all ways.
It builds stress about going to another country and not knowing if you will make it back or not knowing if the members of your team will make the journey home with you. In the event of significant loss of life, whether in your company or family during any tragedy there will be complaints and issues that prevail. If you are not properly trained or properly trained it is essential to look outside the box on the unexplained complaints for an underlying condition that is dormant within the mind. This could range from undetected anxiety, undetected depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Children may be the most vulnerable to undetected anxiety. In this paper I will discuss how to address the psychological challenges of dealing with significant loss of life during a disaster or tragedy. There has been a Category five hurricane that has struck the coast of Florida. Winds were topped at 175 mph and the landfall only slowed it down by 15 mph before it decapitated itself within the state of Alabama. “This has been the worst storm ever for the United States,” says John Travis from Channel Three News. As rescue and recovery begins the toll of life has began to pile up.
According to the unofficial records of responders within the area of disaster the numbers are unbelievable. Across the many coastal cities of Florida, there have been an unofficial number of 6,542 people dead or missing. In Georgia alone the staggering numbers of 8,234 people are dead or missing and in Alabama there was a loss of life in the range of 4,567. These numbers has affected the recovery effort and the lives of the great citizens of the United States especially those within the area of danger. The responders on the ground need to be able to comfort those who have been directly or indirectly affected by the significant loss of life.
First, you have to determine the common reactions. People will experience a range of emotions and responses in the time of crisis. These are some of the common responses; which may vary from person to person. According to the Counseling Center of Illinois, the process of grieving to a significant loss requires time, patience, courage, and support. The grieving will experience many changes throughout the process; which could be any of the following: shock; suffering; sadness; anger; guilt, anxiety; physical, behavior and/or cognitive symptoms; suffering; and recovery.
While most of these responses are healthy and will resolve themselves in due time, but if they last for weeks could be a sign of mental health disorder. (“Grief and loss,” 2007) The key to identifying psychological challenges and disorders will be intense and time consuming and this will sometimes disrupt a person’s ability to function in daily life. You need to know which mental health issues are potential concerns. According to Combat Stress of the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, acute stress disorder or post traumatic stress disorder may present itself closely following a traumatic experience or vent; substance abuse and addictions: people may start to heavily use alcohol or drugs to deal with issues; depression and anxiety: this disorder may develop or increase as a result of stress and trauma about the war or related events; domestic abuse: research has shown that domestic abuse has risen after traumatic events and during times of national crisis. As a responder you must recognize these events and take heed to them and not let a person go untreated or acknowledged. Second, children are the most affected and undetected of psychological challenges to a significant loss of life.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has determined that children can feel very frightened during a disaster and afterwards some children will show temporary changes of behavior. Children may return to things like bed-wetting, difficulty sleeping, and not wanted to be separated from caregivers for a fear of losing that person. Older children may show more anger than usual and find concentrating at school harder, and want to spend more time alone than usual. The trauma to a child could last a short period of time or a very long time. Third, you must follow these directions to ease the stress and trauma reaction in your patients.
You must talk to them about the events that has caused them trauma. Ask them how their families, colleagues and friends are coping with recent events. Persuade them to express their feelings to you and/or a trusted relative, friend, social worker or clergy member. Advise them to eat healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, exercising and drinking fluids. Encourage them to spend time with their family members and close friends. Assure them to limit their exposure to news reports and images of the tragic event. Assure them to participate in activities that they find relaxing and soothing.
Also, you can suggest that they get back to their usual routine as soon as possible. (Kono, 1998 – 2010) In conclusion, Traumatic events can harm someone temporary or permanently for the rest of their life. This could cause severe damage in one’s life. The first care of assistance in psychological challenges could also harm or help the affected person. Responders have to be very careful with this because they are the first one that comes in contact with the people that have been affected. You must know symptoms and be ready to engage with a careful and giving hand at this point.
People die or commit suicide behind traumatized events that are too overwhelming. Therefore, be a great responder and tread the waters of psychological challenges of people very carefully. Grief and loss. (2007). Retrieved from http://www. counselingcenter. illinois. edu/? page_id=175 Helping children cope with disaster. (2004, August). Retrieved from http://www. fema. gov/rebuild/recover/cope_child. shtm Kono, G. (1998 – 2010). Surviving loss, grief, and trauma. Retrieved from http://www. 4therapy. com/consumer/conditions/article/7541/115/Surviving+Loss,+Grief,+and+Trauma
