Date: January 10, 2005
Contact:
Luana Bossolo
(202) 336-5899
Peter Wilson
(202) 336-5910

APA HELP CENTER OFFERS MATERIALS ON MANAGING TRAUMATIC STRESS IN A NATURAL DISASTER

WASHINGTON – For those who may be struggling to cope from afar or have trouble dealing with the images of the aftermath of the tsunami, the American Psychological Association (APA) is offering free materials on managing traumatic stress in a natural disaster through its website, www.APAHelpCenter.org.

“People living in the United States who have lost family and friends or are waiting for news of their loved ones are most likely to feel the effects of this disaster,” says Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., APA’s executive director for professional practice. “And this is an especially difficult time for those who are witnessing from a distance the destruction of land and the loss of lives in their native countries.”

The fact sheet, Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering From Natural Disasters, includes information for people both directly and indirectly affected by a natural disaster. Newman adds, “even if you were not in the actual disaster, you may be affected by witnessing the results of the disaster, even through viewing images in media coverage.”

Some of the tips in the fact sheet include:

• Take a newsbreak. Watching endless replays of footage from the disaster can make your stress even greater. Although you'll want to keep informed - especially if you have loved ones affected by the disaster - take a break from watching the news.
• Be kind to yourself. Some feelings when witnessing a disaster may be difficult for you to accept. You may feel relief that the disaster did not touch you, or you may feel guilt that you were left untouched when so many were affected. Both feelings are normal.
• Keep things in perspective. Although a disaster often is horrifying, you should focus as well on the things that are good in your life.
• Find a productive way to help if you can. Many organizations are set up to provide financial or other aid to victims of natural disasters. Contributing can be a way to gain some “control” over the event.
• Look for opportunities for self-discovery. People often learn something about themselves and may find that they have grown in some respect as a result of persevering through hardship. Many people who have experienced tragedy and adversity have reported better relationships, greater sense of personal strength even while feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, deeper spirituality, and heightened appreciation for life.

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 55 subfields of psychology and its affiliations with 58 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting health, education and welfare.