With the recent events in Japan, between the earthquake and then the devastation on the tsunami, and now the risk of a nuclear meltdown, it will be interesting to see the impact of these events on the mental health of the Japanese nation. Right now, I imagine most are running on survival mode, adrenaline levels are high, panic is setting in, reality is finding enough food and water to survive. The impact on mental health will be more long term, setting in once the initial chaos is over. It will probably be years before the whole impact on mental health can be evaluated.
The most common mental health occurrence with natural disasters is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is the re-experiencing of a traumatic event over and over again in a person’s mind. Often times there will be nightmares, night terrors, and flashbacks. In previous case studies, the initial onset of PTSD is high, but lessens significantly within six to eight months after a disaster.
Another mental health concern will be depression. Many people lost everything, their vehicles, their homes, all their clothes and things. Many lost loved ones; many have friends and family that are still missing. Consider these factors along with the stressors that will they will continue to face, such as relocation, unemployment, financial problems, physical injuries, and the risk of depression increases. Often, this won’t be seen until the reality of their situation has become apparent, sometimes months after the initial incident.
Anxiety disorders will also arise in a population involved in a traumatic natural disaster. High levels of anxiety can also lead to panic attacks, particularly when individuals are faced with other outside stressors, such as financial loss.
A final consideration that often times occur with a traumatic event is substance abuse. Substance abuse will go hand in hand with the above mentioned mental health issues. When people feel hopeless, when they experience extreme levels of stress and anxiety, they will often turn towards drugs and alcohol to help them cope with their situations. There is a much high risk of dependence and abuse within this population when compared to the general population. Particularly due to their added stressors.
Needless to say, while the initial disaster is over in Japan, the impact has only just begun.