Current Events - How Are You Coping?

How is everyone doing out there? Current news is mighty bad. Even those of us who are not directly involved in the disaster here in the States are profoundly affected.

How are you coping? Are you overwhelmed? Have you found any ways to help yourself and loved ones cope?

I just now listened to an hour or so of indepth reporting on the radio. I think I'm a bit in shock even this far away, the news is incredible. And hearing the voices of exhausted rescue workers, authorities, and survivors is heart stoppingly painful.

When is news too much news?

For myself, I've learned that I have a tendency to be drawn to trauma still, and that I need to watch this tendency. I need to pay good attention to my experience and make wise choices. I need to not traumatize myself with too much information and images, while balancing this with my need to know.

I need to remember to breathe. I caught myself holding my breath during some of the stories heard today.

I need to remember where I am now.

Limiting media and news exposure is one good technique of coping during national and international traumatic events. Purposefully building in plenty of distraction and entertainment time is important too. Periodically checking in with myself and others as to how we are feeling is helpful.

How are you coping? What is working for you during this time?

Sarah

Indeed, during such a tragedy, we are all affected in some way no matter how far away we may live. The news is keeping us informed, but I tend to think sometimes too much news is unhealthy. I have limited the amount of time I will watch the coverage of Katrina's devastation. WHen watching it, I become enraged to see the looting, and people thinking its OK to do it. However, when I see someone tell how they clung to a tree for 3-4 hours during the time water was crashing over their heads and they survived ......I have hope.

Rambling here - but again, GREAT post Sarah, and something we all need to think about - how all the bad news is affecting our own mental health issues !

I decided to start a new hobby - painting. Something I have never done, but had bought some supplies to give it a try. Last night while my county in VA was having tornado's as a result of Katrina, I started to paint. WHile I will never become famous ( !!!!! ) , I found it relaxing, and it really really took all my thought to work on it.......which prevented me from thinking about the disaster . NOT that I am forgetting what everyone in the Gulf States are going thru, but a nice mental health break for ME.

A wonderful post. Those of us who have a problem or problems must remember to take care of ourselves as we also care about our neighbors.

Thank you for this most thought provoking post.

Jan

This is also a wonderful post. Thank you for your thoughts on taking mental health breaks. Will you be posting pics of your paintings in the galleries?

Jan

I am overwhelmed with sadness and helplessness.

Bearing witness to such levels of human suffering stirs up all kinds of past, personal issues.

Panic at not being able to rescue those in need. Fear for their future. Sorrow at the catastrophic losses.

The sirens signal my "emergency switch" to kick my fight or flight reaction into high gear.

I find myself gasping for air at the knowledge that more people will most likely die.

I can't give blood due to my disorder but I made a donation to the Red Cross.

It hardly seems enough.

I turn off the television but it lingers on the screen, right behind the surface.

Petunia

i'm trying to limit the amount of stories that i watch. New Orleans has always been one of my most favourite cities to visit, and i am devastated at the hurt the people are enduring. it is beyond my comprehension that there can be so much damage...how can we ever help all of these people? and help them, we must.

i went online and after checking, decided to send my donation to Habitat for Humanity. i saw people asking for clothes and food. i will do what i can. i wish i could do more.....i am praying for all that are affected.

Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety

http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/children.cfm

Coping With Disaster - Tips for Adults

http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/adulttips.cfm

Examples of some of the very helpful information online, much of what is said for children can help we adults too, and even if articles and sites seem to focus on one specific disaster, it will apply to most any.

This thread is helping me personally also, thank you.

Struck me that for folks that are poor and on a fixed income that arrives near first of month, this disaster came at a particularly bad time: end of month = no money.

I am low income, I am broke right now, but in another sense I am so very wealthy.

I have safe shelter and food and water. I have room to relax and be alone and be with others. I am so grateful.

Sarah

Sarah, I think what you just said is very important. While all of us here have problems of some kind, are dealing with illnesses, etc, I think so often we don't stop to think about those who are worse off than we are. Right now we can all look at what is going on in the Gulf states and realize how well off we are ! Not only is the end of the month for those folks, and they have no money, but there is nothing their money would buy anyway. And, for those who receive SSI, Disability, pensions etc, there will be no where for their checks to be mailed. Wow - how grateful we should be that tomorrow when we wake up, we still have a roof over our heads, food in the cupboards, and even something as simple as a mailbox ! Not only is this a time to do whatever we can in the form of donations, but a time for us to be thankful for what we all have.

January - NO Mam - I will not be posting any pics ! LOL I am having trouble learning the brush strokes to work on this picture ! It may turn out to look like something my 7 yr old granddaughter finger painted.. but it is keeping my mind from being too focused on other things !

I know I am having a really hard time with it all. I see all the people that survived and yes they are looting for food, diapers, water, clothing and yes I agree it is not right but those people are in great need. I heard one report today from the mayor of New Orleans and it will be at least 3 months before people can even think about moving back. Try to look at the looting as the food will ruin anyway. Why not give it to them willingly. Here in Georgia today at some of our gas stations gas went up to $5.87 for regular unleaded to $6.07 for premium. People are price gouging really bad here. Alot of stations closed due to being out of gas.
I have seen devastation on tv from other countries but you never think it will hit on our own soil. It has. I just want to sit and cry for all those people that didn't make it and the ones left with nothing.

yes great posting everyone....
I am overwhelmed with sadness and helplessness and I want to drive down there and bring some back to my house...if everyone in the united states would take in some family we could all help out....just me venting sorry....but my mind is hurting and wanting to do something and sending money just does not seem like enough.....ugh

Thanks for this posting!
I was just thinking of posting on the gas prices and shortages. I guess that is insignificant to the suffering in the Gulf. Still, I am fortunate to live only a minute from my job. Today, I told a coworker she, who lives far away from school, that she could stay in my guest room if the gas shortage gets more serious. Tonight, they are announcing that many gas stations are "out of gas" in our region!
Yes, it is affecting all of us. This morning, I heard the governor of LA say that this would be an opportunity for healing and growth...much of what we talk about here.
It was truly touching to hear such a thing, and I was reminded that my problems are small compared to the loss of the people affected by Katrina.
Thanks for reminding us all with this post how fortunate we all are at this time.
Seeker

I'm doing ok. I feel bad for the people in New Orleans but I can't do anything about it. So I just don't think about it. Sounds cruel, but if I can't do anything about something, then I don't bother with worrying about it.

The American Psychological Association has issued the following news
release:

"APA Help Center Offers Materials to Public on Managing Traumatic
Stress
After Hurricane Katrina"

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 -- The American Psychological Association (APA) is
offering free materials to the public on managing traumatic stress in
the
wake of Hurricane Katrina at http://www.APAHelpCenter.org. The
downloadable
fact sheet, Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina,
includes
information for people both directly and indirectly affected by the
hurricane and addresses what people may feel immediately following and
long
after the hurricane. It also provides strategies for people to help
themselves, families and children and for those struggling to cope from
afar.

Additional materials include fact sheets on Managing Traumatic Stress:
Tips for Recovering From Natural Disasters and Managing Traumatic
Stress:
Tips for Recovering From Disasters and Other Traumatic Events as well
as
information on building resilience.

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington,
DC, is
the largest scientific and professional organization representing
psychology
in the United States and is the world's largest association of
psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 150,000
researchers,
educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions
in
55 subfields of psychology and its affiliations with 58 state,
territorial,
and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology
as a
science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health, education
and
welfare.

I know that in my long life here in Los Angeles, I have lived through many what could be called traumas. It started as a child when the Watts Riots hit. I was visiting my grandparents at the time, but the news (in the eyes of a child) showed all of Los Angeles in the middle of the riots & buildings all around being burnt......as far as I knew at the time, it was right where I lived. Later, I arrived in Topeka Kansas (1966) 1 week after a massive tornado went through the city. I saw all the damage first hand & knew many of the people who lost their homes or were completely destroyed.

Later in my life, I lived through the Sylmar earthquake. The damage all around me was devistating. I couldn't imagine how shaking earth could do so much damage......luckily, the walls of my home stayed up around me even though almost everything around me came down. I remember the aftershocks would always hit when I was on the toilet.....talk about fear.....never wanted to be caught like that in the middle of a disaster.

Of course then came the riots about the Rodney King case. There were problems all around LA. You couldn't go out of your house after dark because of the curfew. You never knew where shooting would occur......it wasn't safe to drive almost anywhere during that time.

Of course, the Northridge earthquake hit in 1994 & wouldn't you know, it was right at the time I was having anxiety attacks due to my work situation any......then it took me 6 hours to drive to work & 6 hours home...9 hours at work (once it opened up again)....leaving 3 hours for sleep when I was already having stress problems.....yes, the straw that broke the camels back. Having to go to work brought me right into the desaster area.....all I could see was smoke from the fires, the freeway I used to leave where I live was destroyed when the overpasses collapsed. There were holes in the streets that were big enough for a huge truck to fall into. Homes were completely collapsed & no utilities for months.

Going through all of these situations, allowed me to realize that those of us who live through these disasters take care of ourselves & those around us, including those families who had lost someone.....we band together & work toward the common goal of survival. It is not that we don't appreciate the help from others.....don't get me wrong on that account....caring people all around mean a lot at the time too. From my experience however, it is the pooling together of those of us with the common experience help each other both physically & mentally. I realized later that others just worring about us wasn't what helped.

I guess that is why at the point of other disasters like the twin towers & pentagon, hurricanes, the bombings in England, and many other situations, I have come to realize that the people who are actually living through the devastation are banding together just like we did. Providing support for those who can actually provide help does good, but my worrying does nothing to help them. I try very hard to not to let myself get to the point where worring does harm to myself. I believe in trying to find out what actual help I can provide, & caring in that way is important, but I have put worring into perspective of how I managed to live through the traumatic situations that have hit my life.

I hope I don't sound callus or uncaring.....I care & am very sad to see people have to manage through such traumas & loose family members.....my heart goes out to all who are managing through these horrible experiences with deep understanding of what they are going through even though my situations were very different. I keep focusing on "WE SURVIVE" in spite of it all. The looting angers me.....the fire department sending search dogs & supplies for the disaster help makes me proud of what help can do. We can care by support those that can give a helping hand, but allowing our worring to harm ourselved does nothing to help anyone......it is important to keep our perspective.

Debbie

Gardenergirl, that is a great resource you posted, thanks!

Debbie, You don't at all sound uncaring, and reading your post reminds me of lots of the info I am seeing on how to cope during hard times. Says to limit exposure to media, to distract ourselves when we can, keep things in realistic perspective, and do what we can to feel in control. In control can mean donating some funds to the rescue efforts, gives us a chance to actually do something.

Your stories are also important as our history, hope you have written or will write your memories down.

To all participating in this thread, thank you! I would love to hear from others also on how they are coping.

Sarah

I've been watching the news & keeping up with things... To me, the hurricane is just another symptom in Mother Earth's imbalance... the east coast is flooded, everything on the west side of the rockies is either burning or just parched from the drought... tsunamis, volcanoes, war, tension. Things are shifting. I've got a detachment from all the suffering - maybe it's true - too much violence on tv has desensitized me to everything.

I think it's maybe better for me because I don't know anyone in the areas that are affected - I don't have anyone personal to worry about, family or friends.

This morning I thought ok I'll have 6 hours of no media so no thinking about all those people while I go to school. Well my English teacher came in after copying our tests for us to take and started talking about the people shooting at the helicopters trying to get people out of the Superdome. That made me sad then mad then just pissed off. I just wish that those people would just get a life and realize that those helicopters are there to help not to get shot at where are we Baghdad? Sorry if I sound callous but I'm tired of that all there is on t.v. I mean I know its a big story but what about what else is going on in the world? I'm sure that there are other news stories to be reported.

Jbug

I have made the effort to turn off the tv news. I can control what I read in a newspaper so I try to get my info there.

While there is other news to report, people want to know what is going on in New Orleans. So news media feeds that desire for info...they're in a business afterall and they don't want people switching channels because they weren't showing current news.

That being said, we all have the power to turn off the tv. I worry about people like my grandfather's second wife who watched the news constantly after 9/11 and worried herself sick.

I caught myself getting ready to complain about the 24 hours of constant rain yesterday. Then it occured to me that there are people living in horrible conditions right now and if the worst thing that happens to me is a little rain, then I am a very lucky lady.

I am also currently trying to organize my mom's school (since I don't have my own school) to organize some kind of fundraiser like they did for the tsunami victims. The classroom teachers don't have time to add something else as school just started yesterday. This helps me since I am unable to donate monetarily. Kids are very compassionate. We should all see the world through the eyes of a child.

I am also currently trying to organize my mom's school (since I don't have my own school) to organize some kind of fundraiser like they did for the tsunami victims. The classroom teachers don't have time to add something else as school just started yesterday. This helps me since I am unable to donate monetarily. Kids are very compassionate. We should all see the world through the eyes of a child.



I live in Florida. I keep thinking this could be me at anytime.

I hope compassion for human life will prevail.

Petunia

I was filling a bucket from an outside faucet, ready to water some flower boxes. As I waited for the bucket to fill, watching the water flow freely, splashing in the sun, dawned on me how precious this is.

I have access to abundant flowing clean water. If I was in the middle of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, very likely that water would be forefront in my mind, certainly in my needs. That simple, common, battered bucket of fresh water would be a miracle.

I am reminded also that all feelings are okay. Those of us not immediately concretely affected have a full range of emotions, and it is all okay. Whether caught up in each story or needing to think about other things, we are all doing the best we can.

I second Petunia's hope that compassion for human life prevails.

Sarah

Here in WV, this morning's newspaper front page featured a big picture of a mother sitting on a bridge with 3 month old twins in a baby carrier. The little fellas were hugging each other, and that photo really hurt me to see! I think that picture impacted me more than all the news coverage so far. To think of those little helpless babies there on that hot bridge without food, water, diapers...It is heartbreaking. The article accompanying the picture did not address the plight of the mother, and there are thousands more like her, I'm sure. I feel so helpless and sad now.
Seeker

Not listening to the radio, tv etc, nor reading any papers, not even the responses posted here... all too much. I have accidently heard tid bits... like the mayor somewhere saying there were THOUSANDS... dead... I immediately thought, "The government will make him change that tune very soon, like they did for South Florida..." If I keep other thoughts in my head, distractions... I'll suffer through... if I let the thoughts of it all enter... I'm toast.

Maybe you are right, Sky. The evening news just came on and it is awful.
What can anyone do? And this is America.
Seeker

This morning, for the first time, I allowed myself to watch a whole hour of news on the areas affected by Katrina. Incredible!! In some ways I can and in others I can't understand why people decided to ride out the storm! It's human nature, I suppose, to not believe the reports of the intensity. It's almost understandable why some chose to not leave their homes. "Home" means comfort, security and privacy.

Sky recently asked our opinion on whether the Universe is friendly or hostile. From recent events, I'm more sure than ever that it's hostile. Not much I can do about that except pray... and prepare myself for "The Big One" as far as earthquakes are concerned. My youngest has already said that if anything should happen here, he and his family are heading for the hills and he would expect us to come with him. You know? Doesn't sound half bad to me!

Let's see...

treated water
unperishables
batteries
a generator or two
vegetable seeds bought new every year (even yr old ones sprout!)
the RV stocked with these things including
blankets
pillows
extra tennis shoes
butane lighters (oh geez! How long do ciggies store for?? LOL)
Oh!! And MEDS!! Refill prescriptions a week before they're needed ... and keep extras in fridge, tightly wrapped?

Anyway...

It's just so terribly awful.

Petunia