After a Disaster:  Understanding Common Human Responses

After experiencing a disaster, it is very common, in fact, it is quite normal for people to experience a wide range of emotions, thoughts, and physical reactions.   These responses may appear immediately after the disaster or some time later.  They may last for a few days, a few weeks and sometimes even longer.  Don’t worry—these are very normal reactions to very abnormal situations.  It is important to understand that, like the common cold or flu, your reactions will run their course and you will feel better in time.  The following is a list of some of the most common human reactions to disasters. Emotional Responses                             Physical Responses   Fear                                                          Silence/social withdraw Anxiety                                                      Nausea/diarrhea Depression                                                Chills/sweating Sadness or grief                                        Shallow breathing Feeling hopeless or helpless                       Jittery Irritability or anger                                     Fatigue Agitation                                                   Changes in appetite     Feeling overwhelmed                                Sleep disturbances Guilt, survivor’s guilt                                  Nightmares Denial                                                       Headaches Overly Sensitive                                        Easily startled Feeling numb                                            Grinding of teeth Feeling out of control                                Inability to rest Overly critical                                           Feeling uncoordinated Disconnected                                            Sudden crying                   Thought Responses Difficulty concentrating Scattered/confused Memory problems Shortened attention span Preoccupied with the disaster Suspiciousness Flashbacks of the disaster Difficulty making decisions Posted October 2003

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