On a wall in my office is a poster of John Lennon with the quote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” We all live with a relatively healthy sense of denial which keeps us from being overwhelmed by the tragic events which we know could occur at any moment. If we lived our lives consumed with fears of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and terrorist attacks we would be too afraid to leave our homes. Yet, we also can’t ignore the possibility that disaster can strike at anytime and as such we should be as prepared for them as is reasonably possible. Since we live in earthquake country, most of us have come to appreciate the importance of having a family disaster plan, and a disaster preparedness kit.

Emotional responses to disasters will vary a great deal, though for most people their reactions will be well within what would be considered normal. Feeling a sense of shock or emotional numbing, some sadness and depression and even guilt are all normal. Anger, anxiety, panic, and irritability may also be present as may problems with concentration and physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach pains. Also, given that disasters often occur with little or no warning, it is very common to feel out of control with tremendous uncertainty about the future. Yes, a disaster preparedness kit is vital, but let’s not overlook the importance of preparing for the emotional challenges we will inevitably face as well.

While our reactions to disasters may differ, there are some very useful coping strategies which are beneficial for everyone. Perhaps most important is to accept that returning to normal life may take a while. When possible, however, it is still best to keep up with normal daily routines, and to make sure that you are eating properly, and keeping up with good sleep hygiene. Regular exercise and other activities such as meditation and yoga can also be very beneficial during a time of crisis. Resisting alcohol and drug use is also important as they can worsen an already difficult situation. Additionally, watching images of the disaster on TV and on the internet needs to be limited as well, especially for children. During the 9-11 terror attacks many people repeatedly watched the images of planes flying into the World Trade Center buildings. Some children believed that these were many different attacks while not understanding that they were actually repeated showings of the same event.

Perhaps our greatest resource during a disaster is the support we can give to each other. Keeping ourselves surrounded by family members and friends, and being a part of organizations such as religious and neighborhood groups is invaluable. Of course, professional counseling may also be important, especially if the above symptoms linger long after the crisis situation has ended.

— Scott M. Granet

Scott Granet, LCSW is a long-time resident of Redwood Shores, and is director of the OCD-BDD Clinic of Northern California in Redwood City. He would like to hear your suggestions for future columns, and can be reached at 650-599-3325 or .