A study conducted by researchers at the New York University College of Medicine revealed that people who survived natural disasters, led by earthquakes, are more likely to have sleep disorders that are associated with mental health problems, even two years after the accident.
The study stated that these people suffer from sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It found that two years after the disaster, 42% of the study participants had significant levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, and 22% of them had symptoms of depression, adding that these symptoms were linked to mental health problems.
The repercussions may reach schizophrenia
Tahrir Safi, a counselor and psychiatrist, explains that people who experience a frightening natural disaster experience trauma and a state of incomprehension.
Safi says, in an interview with Al-Araby from Istanbul, that security and stability are among the basic needs of a person, but when this security and stability is threatened, it is natural that there are health, psychological and mental repercussions on him.
She points out that these repercussions may multiply and take different forms of post-traumatic stress disorder, sometimes leading to mental schizophrenia, because they do not understand what happened.
How should children be dealt with?
Noting that the earthquake event is catastrophic in and of itself and very destructive, and is not a simple thing, she stresses that parents should deal with caution with children in the face of such incidents, by controlling anxiety in front of them as much as possible.
She stresses that the treatment does not take place in moments, but goes through different stages, noting that the responsibility of the parents in the event of any terrible event requires showing a kind of cohesion and control.
She explains, “The child does not perceive the event to the extent that I am aware of my reaction as a mother, and therefore I must show him a kind of safety or stability, and if he has questions I will be honest in answering but without intimidating him, in the sense that I explain to him what an earthquake is, but I tell him that things will be stable, and I try to distract him with some things, and maintain daily habits with him.”
