Many of us have considered how we would provide for our family’s physical needs, including medical care, during a prolonged crisis. Indeed, it would seem foolish to be unprepared for trauma related to accidents, violence, fire, et cetera, when professional medical care might not be available for weeks, months, or more. What most of us don’t think about is the effect that a long-term crisis and/or exposure to traumatic events could have on our mental health. Next to food, shelter, and security, this may seem to be a low-priority concern, but depression and anxiety related to traumatic events can have lasting and highly detrimental effects, ranging from loss of productivity to violence and suicide.
Anxiety Disorders
We may feel that we are tough and hardened to the rigors of even the worst scenarios we can imagine. Many soldiers have felt the same way before entering combat and yet still developed anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders, such as PTSD, are common in those who face extreme mental stress, as they are related to increased activation in the fear center of the brain.
Not Mental Weakness But How Brains Deal With Intense Fear and Prolonged Stress
These disorders are not a sign of mental weakness but simply the result of how our brains deal with intense fear and prolonged high levels of stress. Typical signs to look for are hyper-vigilance (jumpiness, loss of sleep, increased hostility), intrusive thoughts (inability to stop thinking about traumatic experiences), and recurring nightmares. Along with emotional detachment and depression, these signs are the hallmarks of PTSD. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions, and increase the risk for violent and abusive behaviors towards others.
Continue reading“Maintaining Mental Health in the Face of Crisis: Dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress, by M.G., MSN, RN”