ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Learning From The Past and Planning For The Future
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT
April 6, 2001
"A man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted
30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali
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,MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY PIONEER TO SPEAK APRIL 11
Dr. Derald Wing Sue, a national pioneer in multicultural psychology,
education and counseling, will speak on "Growing Up Asian In America:
Lessons For Multicultural Education" on April 11 at 2 p.m., in 352
Moore Building. A professor at California State University, Hayward
and at the California School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Sue also
developed the cultural competence movement that has revolutionized
the field of counseling and therapy nationwide. Among his books are:
"Counseling the Culturally Different: Theory and Practice;"
"Counseling American Minorities: A Cross Cultural Perspective" and "A
Theory of Multicultural Counseling and Therapy."For more on this
story, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/multiculturallecture.html
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TRAVELERS: DON'T BE A FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE CARRIER
Foot and Mouth disease is not a threat to humans, but travelers to
countries that have the disease who plan to return to agricultural
areas in the United States should take precautions to avoid being a
carrier. David Wolfgang, senior research associate in veterinary
science, says that during the current epidemic, such travelers should
leave their shoes and clothes in Europe and, once back in the U.S.,
should refrain from visiting animal areas for a minimum of five days.
Some experts, he says, even stretch the ban on visiting farm areas to
as long as three weeks. For a radio interview on this by Chuck Gill,
go to http://aginfo.psu.edu/radio/scripts/0327011.htm.
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VETERINARY SCIENCE FACTS ON FOOT & MOUTH
Penn State Veterinary Science Outreach has prepared a Web Site with
links for detailed information on foot-and-mouth disease, one of the
most highly contagious animal diseases known. It is caused by a
virus that can infect cattle, swine, sheep, goats, other
cloven-hoofed animals, elephants, hedgehogs, rats, and mice.
Infections in humans are extremely rare and non-fatal when they
occur. In animals, the virus leads to a drop in milk and meat
production, which could cost the dairy and livestock industries
billions of dollars. The United States has been free of
foot-and-mouth disease since 1929. The disease is currently known to
exist in Great Britain, France, Eastern Europe, South America, Asia,
Africa, and the Middle East. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has
established a toll-free number to answer questions from the public,
industry, and media at 1-800-601-9327. The Pennsylvania Department
of Agriculture also has information on the disease at
http://www.pda.state.pa.us/. For more information from Penn State,
go to http://cac.psu.edu/~lis3/NewFlash/FMD.htm
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Common-sense precautions and good biosecurity are the best defenses
livestock producers can mount against foot-and-mouth disease, says
extension veterinarian David Griswold. "Foot-and-mouth disease is one
of the most highly contagious animal diseases known. If our efforts
to keep it out of this country fail, the economic impact on our food
animal industry could be catastrophic." The disease is difficult to
contain. Direct contact with ill or carrier animals is the most
obvious method of transmission, he says. "But the virus can survive
for several weeks on contaminated clothing and can live for days or
weeks in the lungs, nasal passages or tonsils of humans. In addition,
airborne particles can travel up to 40 miles, and the virus can be
carried in contaminated meat and dairy products that, if fed to
livestock, will cause infection." Producers should quarantine and
observe new animals for at least four weeks before mixing them with
their herds. If any animal displays excessive salivation or lameness
associated with blisters of the mouth, nose or feet -- or other
suspicious symptoms -- producers immediately should contact their
veterinarian, a state or federal veterinarian or a county
Cooperative Extension agent. For more on this story, go to
http://aginfo.psu.edu/news/march01/fmd.html. For more on the
disease, go to http://fmd.cas.psu.edu/
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DELAYED STRESS: WHAT IS IT AND
WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
There have been some dramatic events in the news over the past few years.
Tragedies such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, bombings, etc.,
while certainly not new or even uncommon, are beyond our abilities to control
or, in some cases, even difficult to fully comprehend.
In Oklahoma City, rescue workers tried to help survivors and non-survivors
following the bombing of a Federal building.
More recently, we all saw scenes on the evening news and elsewhere of the
of the effects of earthquakes in India and in Seattle, Washington.
Following their return from the Viet Nam War, many Veterans experienced symptoms
of what we call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans of the Gulf War
seem to be dealing with a similar related problem which has been called Gulf War
Syndrome.
What do all of the above have in common? Studies of PTSD and how to treat it
and/or how to prevent it and many of its symptoms were the result of a lot of work
with Veterans.
Today, we know more about PTSD and how to alert those at risk (e.g. resuce workers,
victims of physical and sexual abuse, victims of natural and man-made disasters)
so that they can be better prepared to deal with some of the inevitable feelings
and thoughts as well as other symptoms.
PTSD, sometimes also referred to as Delayed Stress, is identified by certain
common signs, including the following:
Depression
- is a common response to a traumatic event. It can be present
in a number of forms which may include sleep disturbance (e.g. difficulties
sleeping, intrusive or disturbing dreams, or even too much sleep). Other signs
may include general feelings of worthlessness or helplessness or difficulties
concentrating. Some may experience feelings that no one will understand how they
feel. They may find little support among friends, acquaintances and/or relatives.
Some may try to alleviate their feelings through attempts at "self-medication"
involving alcohol and/or drugs.
Isolation
- There are times when those involved isolate themselves from
others or will have few friends. They may feel isolated and distant from peers.
For example, they may feel that their peers or friends and family would rather
not hear what their experiences were like. They may feel rejected.
Rage
- is also a common response. Feelings of irritation, touchiness,
easily striking out at others who happen to be near (usually verbally, but some-
times physically). Some may experience frequent rage reactions while others may
sublimate or repress their rage by breaking inanimate objects or putting fists
through walls. There are many reasons for the rage - a rage at not being able
to control or change the events that occurred.
Avoidance of Feelings
- Some may talk about episodes in which they
did not feel anything when they witnessed or experienced the death of a buddy
or friend or the more recent death of a close family member. Often troubled by
their responses to tragedy, on the whole, they would rather deal with tragedy
in their own detached way. Especially problematic is an inability to experience
the joys of life. They may describe themselves as being emotionally dead.
This "Defense Mechanism" dulls one's awareness of the death and/or destruction
surrounding him/her. It is a survival mechanism which does help one to pass
through a period of trauma without becoming caught up in its tendrils. This
numbing only becomes nonproductive when the period of trauma has passed, and
the individual is still numb to the affect or emotions around him/her. They
may feel that, should they let themselves release the numbness, they may never
stop crying or may completely lose control of themselves.
Survival Guilt
- When others have died and some have not or are rescuers,
they may ask "How is it that I survived when others more worthy than I did not?"
or "What could I have done to get here sooner and save this life?"
Survival guilt is an especially guilt-provoking symptom. It is not based on
anything hypothetical. Rather, it is based on the harshest of realities - the
actual death of a human being and the struggle of the survivor or rescuer to
live. In some cases, the survivor or rescuer has had to compromise him/herself
or the life of someone else in order to deal with this. The guilt that results
may eventually lead to self-destructive behaviors. Feelings of helplessness may
develop over the inability to change the outcome of events. Guilt may develop
over "maybe if I had been there sooner or had done more, etc...."
In some cases (e.g. War, earthquakes, other disasters) those who suffer the
most painful symptoms are primarily those who have served as corpsmen, medica,
EMTs, etc. They save many lives. However, some of those they try to save die.
Many casualties are beyond medical help, yet many emergency response workers
suffer extremely painful memories for long periods thereafter - some for the
remainder of their lives. Some tend to blame themselves for these deaths.
Anxiety Reactions
- Many workers describe themselves as very vigilant
human beings. Their autonomic senses are tuned to anything out of the ordinary.
Sleep Disturbances and Nightmares
- Some may find the hours before
sleep very comfortable. As a result, they will stay awake as long as possible.
Intrusive Thoughts
- Some workers frequently report replaying especially
problematic experiences over and over again. They may search for alternatives
to what actually happened. They may castigate themselves for what they might
have done to change the situation, suffering subsequent guilt feelings today
because they were unable to do so in the situation. Most report that these
thoughts are very uncomfortable, yet they are unable to put them to rest.
Not all who are exposed to tragedies experience all or some symptoms. However,
it is not possible to be exposed to such events and have no feelings, thoughts
or responses. Being prepared for them and recognizing what effects they can
have can prepare one to deal with them.
Debriefing following involvement in such experiences can help prepare one for
what they may feel or think. It can provide them with support from others; methods
for dealing with their feelings, thoughts and responses; and resources for future
assistance if needed. It is like a vaccination which helps prevent more serious
consequences.
Finally, if any of the above-described feelings, thoughts or responses occur
or persist, talking with someone who can help (minister, priest, rabbi or a
counselor or therapist) might help alleviate and deal with the symptoms.
When we are exposed directly to tragedy, we are affected by it and need to deal with it.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE GULF WAR SYNDROME, GO TO:
https://www.angelfire.com/biz/odoc/gulf.html
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For further information on this topic, go to the following search engine and begin by
trying the following descriptors: Delayed stress, PTSD, PTSD and veterans, Gulf War
Syndrome, stress and depression, Stress and isolation, stress and rage, stress and
avoidance, stress and feelings, survival guilt, stress and anxiety reactions, stress and
sleep disturbances, stress and nightmares, stress and intrusive thoughts, etc. You can
search for and order books as well:
https://www.angelfire.com/biz/odochartaigh/searchbooks.html
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Contact your local Mental Health Center or
check the yellow pages for counselors, psychologists,
therapists, and other Mental health Professionals in
your area for further information.
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George W. Doherty
O'Dochartaigh Associates
Box 786
Laramie, WY 82073-0786
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT Online: https://www.angelfire.com/biz3/news
