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Harry34
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Default Jan 15, 2021 at 02:50 PM
  #1
Hello everyone,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum section for particular topic, but I didn't know where else to put it.

Any advice or whatever other information to stay sane and not to develop any physical, or psychological disorder is appreciated. Here is the story.

For the last two weeks or so, our town was epicenter of several devastating earthquakes. Strongest one was around 7-degree Richter. There were dozens of other ones above 5- and 4-degree Richter. I’ve experienced every single large quake on the first floor of our building. Ground is shaking all the time and according to experts, it won’t stop for a long time. This part of the world hasn’t seen quakes for 100 and more years. Pretty much all the population that lives here is in state of shock. And I don’t have to tell you that my town and places nearby are fully or partially in ruins. There’s collapse of pretty much everything and is very unsafe to be there. Mayhem. Covid thing doesn’t do any good either.

While we haven’t experienced any material, or financial damage, we are wasted mentally. Around a week ago we moved away from our town to get some rest. However, we miss our home and our life and want to get back soon. Unfortunately, we will have to experience it all over again. We are not concerned about our lives. We know we will not die, or get hurt. However, the anxiety of not knowing when is going to strike again, and it always shakes when you’re not prepared is unbearable. Also, it is terrible when it is actually shaking. During these seconds or minutes of shaking, fear is beyond imaginable. You don’t know how strong it is, sound of earthquake howling freezes blood in veins, whole building vibrating and walls getting close to each other is all surreal experience. Couple of times it awakened us from sleep which is story of its own.

Tell us, please, what to do? How to deal with these huge levels of fear? How to prepare for the unpredictable danger? How to stay calm when it strikes and while it lasts? Should we relocate for the time being, should we stay and try to get used to it? Should we stay and possibly go nuts? We don’t want to develop PTSD, anxiety, depression, high blood sugar, or some worse condition. Lastly, ground is still shaking. Every single day. Today we had big one that was stronger than 4 degree. Trauma after trauma. I’d be willing to help for professional help as well.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.
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Default Jan 16, 2021 at 02:18 PM
  #2
Dear Harry34 and welcome to the Forums.

I am so very, very sorry you are in this terribly stressful and distressing earthquake situation. The ordeal you endure must be just horrible. I live in an an area with earthquakes but they are infrequent. When they occur I just fall apart mentally with almost unendurable anxiety, fear and panic attacks. I can't even imagine what you must be going through. It sounds so awful and scary. I wish I had some insight to share with you on how to deal with the situation, but sadly I don't. Perhaps others here will see your post and respond with something that will prove truly helpful to you. Maybe a professional psychotherapist would be able to be really helpful. I don't know. It is just utterly heartbreaking what you are going through. I worry for your safety and your health!

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen
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Default Jan 16, 2021 at 02:45 PM
  #3
Yao Wen, thank you for compassion. It is really hard to know what to do. I consider my mental strength to be above average, but this. This is something else. And I've experienced war first hand. Like you're constantly being shot at, bombs and grenades falling all over you... And according to experts, quakes won't stop for a long, long time. Is it possible to get used to series of traumas? Can human being possibly achieve such level of mental power to be resistant to quakes? Or maybe it is better to leave home for some time and relocate?
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Default Jan 16, 2021 at 06:16 PM
  #4
Being in California and having lived through a few earthquakes, I can empathize with you. It is possible that at this time we have a much improved infrastructure than we did during, say, the Loma Prieta 'quake of 1989. Still, the prospect of a large earthquake is extremely frightening and, yes, stressful. If you are living in a region in which there is a danger of structures easily collapsing I can understand being absolutely terrified.

I have no great answer for you. If your life and the lives of your loved ones are truly in danger from an earthquake, what can you do but move to another place? The only other option is to remain where you live and hope for the best.

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Harry34
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Default Jan 17, 2021 at 05:32 AM
  #5
BethRags, thanks for your post. Infrastructure is good enough. We had pretty small damage to our building. I believe building won't get ruined and we won't get hurt. However, with those quakes every single day, your mind power is weaker and weaker. I don't know. It is damn hard to leave home and your life behind.
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