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How to cope with holiday stress after a disaster

Tabor-Loris Tribune - 12/23/2016

North Carolina survivors who lost their home, business or personal property in the floods that followed Hurricane Matthew may be struggling to cope with the emotional impact of the disaster.

North Carolina State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences has suggestions for adults and children coping with stress and grief. Among the suggestions:

· Limit your exposure to traumatic news coverage and social media about the disaster until you can handle it.

· Stay connected with family and friends.

· Accept the fact that your recovery may take time.

Staff at the Mayo Clinic say that the holiday season also causes stress and depression in some people. This may be increased by the emotional impact of other situations, such as the recent flooding disaster. They offer some tips on how to cope.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression may include:

· Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

· Fatigue and decreased energy

· Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness

· Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

· Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

· Irritability, restlessness

· Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. SAMHSA provides toll-free, multilingual and confidential support on its Disaster Distress Helpline.

Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 800-985-5990 or text Talk With Us to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Other resources for helping you and your children cope after the disaster can be found at these websites or by calling the number provided:

· FEMA: ready.gov/kids.

· National Center for Child Traumatic Stress: Floods. Phone 919-682-1552

· Save the Children: Ten Tips to Help Kids Cope with Disasters,

· Hurricane Tips for Parents: How to Help Kids. Phone 919-682-1552

· American Academy of Pediatrics: Helping Your Child Cope, Talking to Children about Disasters, How Children of Different Ages Respond to Disasters. Phone 847-434-4000.