Module Three:

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Module Three Disaster Psychology
Frannie Edwards 408-806-7937 Earl Stevens
408-277-4598
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Disaster Psychology

• Definition of Disaster Psychology
• Managing community psychological reaction to an
  event beyond our control.

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Traumatic Event

• An event outside the range of usual human
  experience, which would be markedly distressing
  to almost everyone. DSM-III
• Any event that is exceptionally threatening or
  catastrophic. World Health Organization

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Disaster Psychology

• Aspects of an Event that Would Predict
  Psychological Trauma
• Actual severe physical injury
• Fear of severe physical injury
• Fear of losing ones life
• Watching someone else die or experience severe
  pain or injury

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• Aspects of an event that would predict
  psychological trauma, contd.
• Feeling of responsibility for inadvertent harm to
  someone else
• Guilt for being safe when others were harmed, or
  alive when others died (Survivors Guilt)
• Death or injury to children
• Environmental or ecological catastrophe

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Common Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Stress
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Cognitive Physical
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Emotional Behavioral
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Normal Reactions

• To an Abnormal Event

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Sources of Abnormal Reactions to Events

• Impact on the individuals life or family
• Age of victim very young and very old least able
  to cope
• Previous experience Echo Effect

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Echo Effect

• Psychological trauma suffered at an earlier time
  will effect the ability of the individual to
  withstand a new trauma

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Reactions That May Predict Post-Traumatic Stress
Syndrome

• Flashbacks
• Traumatic dreams
• Memory disturbances
• Self-medication (e.g., alcohol abuse)
• Anger, irritability, hostility which is difficult
  to control
• Persistent depression, withdrawal

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Reactions That May Predict Post-Traumatic Stress
Syndrome

• A dazed or numb appearance
• Panic attacks
• Phobia formation

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The Role of the San Jose Prepared! Team

• Initial Community Defusing
• Group Process

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• Collect supplies facial tissues, blankets
• Collect food gum, hard candy, non-caffeine
  drinks
• Locate space quiet and private as possible
• Invite community members who have shared the
  event- maximum 50 people

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• Provide written notice of time and place, if
  possible
• Good job for children
• Adult/teen to supervise distribution
• Choose team leader who will use the outline

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Rules for the Sessions

• Absolute confidentiality
• Respect for everyones feelings and reactions
• Be sure everyone has a CHANCE to participate

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Steps to Help Survivors Deal With Stress

• Establish rapport
• Listen
• Empathize
• Provide confidentiality

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Session Content

• Review normal reactions, emphasize that they
  are temporary tearfulness, shakiness,
  nightmares, insomnia, irritability, isolation,
  hyper-vigilance, panic, headaches,
  gastrointestinal upsets
• Acknowledge avoidance as a coping mechanism

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Session Contact contd.

• 3. Review echo effect
• 4. Review the special needs of children and
  elderly for reassurance
• 5. Discuss a community event to bring emotional
  resolution e.g., memorial tree, community event

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Basic Communication Techniques

• Non-verbal attending
• Watch body language
• Restatement
• Repeat key phrases
• Paraphrasing
• Summarize main points speaker made

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Key Questions

• Describe for me (the event)
• Tell me about (how it effects person)
• What steps can you take to get on with your life?

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Precautions in Crisis Intervention

• Dont probe or be confrontational
• Dont probe outside the event
• Dont be overly analytical, looking for hidden
  motivations
• Avoid putting person on defensive
• Dont moralize or preach

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Precautions in Crisis Intervention, contd.

• 6. Dont use reverse psychology (encouraging
  someone to do what you actually dont want them
  to do).
• 7. Dont take personal risks
• 8. Dont dismiss suicide
• 9. Dont progress too quickly to crisis resolution

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Precautions in Crisis Intervention contd.

• 10. Recommend professional counselors for
  in-depth assistance
• - Airport Chaplaincy
• - County Mental Health
• - American Red Cross national team

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SUMMARY

• Disaster psychology managing community
  psychological reaction to an event beyond our
  control.
• Normal reactions to an abnormal event acute
  stress disorder.
• Abnormal reactions post traumatic stress
  syndrome
• Communications skills