Family Christian Counseling LIBRARY

TITLE: Tornado Trauma

AUTHOR: Merle Brock, M.S

May 3, 1999 is a date that changed the course of Oklahoma history. The size, number, wind speed and devastation of the tornadoes recorded that day mark history as well as the face of the earth and thousands of lives. People have experienced varying levels of trauma ranging from barely affected to meeting the criteria of full blown Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Of course survivors who were caught right in the path of the storms are the most likely to experience these symptoms, which may be displayed in a number of ways.

Let's discuss some of these symptoms. The primary symptoms are, 1) you have experienced or witnessed a situation which involved death, the possibility of death, or a threat to the physical integrity of yourself or another person to which you responded with intense fear. 2) You find that you re-experience the trauma. This may take place through such things as thoughts, seeing images or having dreams about the trauma. You may even feel as if the trauma is occurring again. Psychological as well as physical reactions may result from reminders of the event. This may result in 3) avoidance of the trauma-reminding stimuli as well as numbing. This may take place through such things as trying to avoid certain thoughts, feelings, places or even avoiding certain activities and people. You may not be able to remember certain events connected with the trauma and may feel detached and find it difficult to express emotion. 4) Hyperarousal may be experienced through not sleeping well, being irritable or angry and having difficulty concentrating and completing tasks. Perhaps one of the more prominent symptoms is exaggerated startle response.

If several of these symptoms sound familiar to you, you may be displaying the symptoms of PTSD.

Survivors may find it beneficial to identify losses. Certainly you have lost many material items as well as personal items that can not be replaced. However, tornado survivors may also lose intangibles such as familiarity of their neighborhood and a sense of community. This may range from not seeing Mr. Jones sitting on his porch where he was always seen, to large trees being missing which gives the neighborhood a whole different look. It is strange being able to see so far because there is now nothing blocking the view.

As you experience the trauma and review your losses, you may also experience stages of grief. These stages have been outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Grief includes 1) denial. The survivor's first response may be disbelief, refusing to believe that it is really happening. 2) Anger is also a normal response. Anger may be directed toward self, others, not having a storm shelter, even God. During the 3) bargaining stage you may tend to blame yourself by asking such questions as "What if we had done this instead?" or "If only I had done that." Don't beat yourself up with all of those "what ifs." When I think of self-blame I am reminded of the story of a man born blind recorded in John 9:2-3 NIV. The disciples asked Jesus "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?" indicating that it must be a result of sin. Jesus replied "It was neither . . . ." Don't punish yourself. It is unnecessary blame. 4) Periods of depression are a normal part of grief also. As a storm survivor you may not be able to enjoy things you used to enjoy. The storm survivor may even lose the will to live. If you experience this for any reason contact a counselor immediately. Finally comes the phase you've been looking forward to, 5) acceptance, which comes only after the other stages are dealt with adequately.

These stages follow no precise order and as a survivor you may find yourself bouncing from one to another in any random order finding yourself on an emotional roller coaster. Some people stay in stages individual for long periods of time and others cycle through them rapidly. There is no prescribed way to grieve; it depends upon what is right for you.

Good news! That means you aren't going crazy if you have been having these feelings. Storm survivors I have worked with are happy to discover they are not losing it but experiencing the results of an event so traumatic that their coping mechanisms are overwhelmed. However, counseling can help you adequately work through the difficult effects of trauma. In storm-laden Oklahoma we know there will be future tornadoes. The question is not whether we will have storms again or not. The only question is will you have taken steps to help return to a healthy state so you can deal with them effectively? If you have been adversely affected by tornadoes you may benefit from rebuilding your emotional life through counseling.

There have been countless numbers of pictures and articles about the May 3rd tornadoes but the fullness of the sights, sounds, and smells you have experienced as well as the emotional battle can not be captured in a picture or article. This type of traumatic event may also open old wounds from years past such as abuse or poor relationships with family or spouses. This results in more confusion because you don't understand why you are wrestling with this issue again when you thought you had put it behind you. It is as if you were able to suppress the former painful event but now, with this additional trauma, you are overloaded. Some people feel as if God has singled them out and is punishing them for one reason or another but the Bible tells us " . . . He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" Matt. 6:45 NIV.

God loves you and is intimately aware of your situation and concerned for your well being. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

by Merle Brock, M.S

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