Care for mental disorders after natural disasters

In our country, in 2006, some storms caused serious damage and left many mental trauma. Mentioning psychological assistance to those who have just experienced natural disasters, MS-BS Nguyen Ngoc Quang - HCMC Mental Hospital - said:

MSc - Doctor Nguyen Ngoc Quang (Photo: TTO)

- Psychiatric disorders - especially acute stress - occur in most mothers and wives of victims of death. Therefore, after the need for material support, they also need huge psychological support. The catastrophic event is an impact on very strong, acute, sudden psychological (stress) effects that affect many people at the same time. Expressive emotional expression is stunned, dazed, dumbfounded, helpless, hopeless, mixed with feelings of guilt, anger, inadequacy .

In terms of cognition, memory loss, attention reduction, confusion, disorientation, confusion, no lucidity, loss of self-confidence, loss of confidence, inability to decide. The body's reactions have manifestations such as loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, decreased sexual interest, fatigue, reduced productivity and learning. Reaction to society is also easy to see as shrinking itself, avoiding the place of disaster, avoiding people, easy to create personal conflicts, conflicts with the community.

These acute stress responses depend on the level and nature of the disaster and personality, personality and physicality of each individual. Of course the acute stress response state can dissolve quickly or severe sequelae will depend on many factors - including care, psychological support.

* But what factors can increase the risk of cumulative stress?

- Accumulation may be due to pre-disaster factors such as unresolved personal and social problems. Disaster factors: sudden occurrence, catastrophic catastrophe, heavy consequences . The following catastrophic factors are too strong a psychological response, no satisfactory assistance or bad impact from others .

* Doctor, how do you know if you are stressed?

- Most noticeable is depression. Lightly, there is a feeling of sadness, insecurity, loss of interest, decreased concentration of attention, fatigue, slowness, decreased self-confidence, a gloomy future, sleep disturbance, decreased sex, eating appetite, anorexia

This pain of loss will last longer and severely affect people's psychology in areas that have just suffered from natural disasters (Photo: TTD)

Heavy thinking of suicide, self-destructive self.

* How do you do when you're stressed?

- This is the main task of psychiatrists. Psychotherapists should manage psychiatric patients (patients) after a disaster depending on the specific disease. For example, patients with post-traumatic disorder use neuroleptic drugs to coordinate with psychological behavioral and cognitive therapy, and use relaxation and deep breathing therapy.

For depressive disorders as well as anxiety disorders need to use antidepressants of SSRI group with low doses gradually increase in about 7-10 days, maintain 6-8 weeks, use tranquilizers if patients have difficulty sleeping . For patients with mourning reactions, advice on loss and drug treatment should be provided if depression, anxiety, insomnia occur; especially create a sense of peace of mind by explaining to them that the disaster has been overcome and solved well. It is necessary to help patients to change lifestyles, entertainment, economic assistance, positive psychotherapy. Patients should be advised to avoid stimulants such as alcohol, tea, and coffee.

The physician not only treated people with mental disorders after a natural disaster, but also had to be a planner and coordinator, bringing mental health counseling teams to help their compatriots. Specifically: opening training sessions on coping skills when disaster strikes; counseling for survivors to take care of themselves and their families; linking homosexuals with resources for support, advice, comfort and anxiety relief.

KIM SON performs