Bushfires and Natural Disasters Counselling
Bushfires and Natural Disasters Counselling
Counselling for people impacted by bushfires and natural disasters
Natural disasters and bushfires can have an enormous and lasting impact upon the lives of those affected. Being involved in a bushfire or natural disaster can have deleterious consequences for people’s physical health, financial and housing security and also mental health and wellbeing.
If you are directly affected by a natural disaster it is normal to experience a range of intense emotions in the aftermath. These reactions may include despair, anger, fear, disbelief, horror, sadness, hopelessness, confusion and grave concerns about the future. These emotions may dissipate, but for others they can emerge as mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder or clinical depression, whilst others turn to alcohol or other drugs. The effects can be long-lasting and life-altering.
This article explores the psychological impacts of natural disasters and how psychological therapy can play a role in recovery.
Anxiety and Stress
Our immediate reaction to bushfire or a natural disaster is anxiety and stress. The flight or fight reaction kicks in. This reaction is not pathological. Anxiety is a natural survival response that heightens awareness and prepares the body to react and increase the chance of survival. However, when situational stress becomes chronic stress, when the individual is not able to relax and find ease, this is a problem. This places strain upon physical health, relationships and life loses pleasure. Chronic stress can become an anxiety disorder. Whilst the origins of this difficulty are understandable, the costs to the individual are high. They feel constantly unsafe. This then manifests as constant feelings of being on edge, restlessness and having thoughts like “anything could happen at any moment”.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is one of the most severe psychological conditions that can arise post-disaster. Symptoms may include flashbacks – intrusive images of the experience, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts related to the event. These symptoms can be so intense that they significantly disrupt daily life and functioning.
Depression
When people lose loved ones, the homes they built, and the routines that once grounded them, it is devastating. If grief leads to ongoing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness it may result in depression. When people become depressed even the smallest daily tasks such as eating breakfast and getting out of bed can feel insurmountable, let alone the enormous work of rebuilding a life.
Social Withdrawal
Natural disasters can cause social fragmentation. Survivors may withdraw socially to cope with intense, difficult emotions and changed life circumstances. Short term coping can lead to isolation and loneliness over time. Sometimes the fragmentation arises because of changes in the physical environment, loss of social services and groups may no longer have a physical meeting place and thus meeting as a group becomes intermittent or is paused until reconstruction. People may also feel their experience is different to the experience of others, perhaps shame or fear of comparison makes it hard to open up and share with others.
Distress Amongst Those Not Directly Involved
The mental health consequences of large-scale traumatic events, such as bushfires, is profound and enduring. Those directly exposed — emergency responders and evacuees alike — face acute psychological stress in the short term.
The media coverage for those geographically removed from fires or other natural disasters can still be extremely distressing for adults and children alike. The thick smoke in the air of a major bushfire, the relentless stream of distressing news coverage can take a serious psychological toll. For many Australians, each bushfire season also brings reminders of past bushfires, memories of prior tragedies, distress and fear.
For people with a history of trauma or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these experiences can be especially triggering.
Some people experience multiple natural disasters, or perhaps volunteer to help others during a natural disaster. These people can be incredibly resilient in times of crisis, and often step in to help others in need. But after the initial crisis is over, the cumulative or delayed impact can be significant and affect physical and mental health.
Bushfires and Natural Disasters Counselling
How Therapy Can Help
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for conditions like anxiety and depression, and substance use. It works by helping individuals recognise negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. In the context of natural disasters, CBT can help survivors process the traumatic event and manage coping behaviours and reconnect with others.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy is specifically designed for treating trauma and PTSD. The therapy involves a trained specialist guiding the client through their understanding of the traumatic experience. This helps in processing the emotional distress associated with often life changing events.
Summary
The psychological impacts of natural disasters can be as significant as the physical damage they cause. These mental health challenges can last long after the immediate crisis has passed. Psychological therapy, ranging from CBT to CPT offers various tools to help individuals heal and rebuild.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you’re struggling with difficult feelings, finding meaning and purpose, loneliness or a mental health issue, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Book an appointment with our experienced psychologists at the Centre for Clinical Psychology in Melbourne by calling 03 9077 0122. We’re here to support you on your journey to better mental health.