Help Available For West Virginians Suffering From Repeated Disaster-Related Stress
Release Date: July 18, 2003
Release Number: 1474-55
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
Charleston, WV -- Mental health officials are encouraging residents of West Virginia to seek crisis counseling at one of the mental health facilities designated to assist those suffering from the stress and anxiety caused by repeated storm and flood damage.
"People who have suffered a loss in a previous disaster can experience increased anxiety when severe weather threatens again," said Faith Stuart with the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facility. "We want to teach people how to recognize the warning signs of trauma-related stress, and let them know help is at hand."
Some of the most common warning signs of disaster-related stress include:
- Recurring thoughts or nightmares about the event.
- Having trouble sleeping or changes in appetite.
- Experiencing anxiety and fear, especially when exposed to events or situations similar to the disaster.
- Being on edge, being easily startled or becoming overly alert.
- Feeling depressed, sad and having low energy.
- Having trouble making decisions. An inability to focus on work or daily activities.
- Feeling irritable, easily agitated, or angry and resentful.
- Crying spontaneously, feeling a sense of despair and hopelessness.
- Feeling extremely protective of, or fearful for, the safety of loved ones.
"We want to reassure people that these are normal reactions to abnormal events," said Stuart. "People may experience some or none or these reactions, but stress may still be having an effect."
Counseling is available for residents of disaster-designated counties, including Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Doddridge, Harrison, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Monongalia, Nicholas, Putnam, Ritchie, Wayne, and Wyoming. For referral to the nearest counseling center, call the Prestera Center at 1-800-642-3434, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Jul-2003 09:13:35