Psychiatrist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu said, “Symptoms such as constant fear, startle, sleep disturbance and crying indicate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If it takes a long time, you should definitely get support from a specialist.”
The 04.17 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş at 7.4:XNUMX also caused loss of life and property in Diyarbakır, Adana, Malatya, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mersin, Hatay and Kilis. Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Semra Baripoğlu underlined that the earthquake that caused deep sadness in the country can cause trauma.
A person can choose dangerous ways of escape in times of shock.
Stating that an earthquake, known as a natural disaster, causes psychological trauma in the society if it causes strong, severe and serious damage, Psychiatrist Dr. Semra Baripoğlu said, “The person may experience extreme fear in the symptoms of this trauma. The person may go into shock at the first moment and in the first minutes. There may be feelings of helplessness and panic. Some people may choose a dangerous escape route, such as jumping out of a window during an earthquake. The person may feel helpless, the fear of death takes hold of the person at that moment. For example, there is a fear that he will lose his life or that something will fall on him or that he will cripple himself.”
There may be constant fear and a desire not to speak.
Expressing that the severity of trauma left by the disaster in the person can change, Dr. Semra Baripoğlu continued her words as follows:
"In the following days; The extent of the trauma may vary depending on the severity of the earthquake, the age of the person, where he was caught in the earthquake, whether he lost a loved one or loved one during or after the earthquake. Symptoms such as a constant fear, startle reaction, being affected by the slightest sound, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, crying, constantly remembering the moment, and not wanting to talk to anyone may occur in those who are most severely and worst affected by the earthquake. These symptoms vary from person to person, but these are the most common symptoms. In some people, symptoms may occur, up to and including frequent loss of consciousness.”
Post-earthquake stimuli can lead to permanent fear
Noting that after the earthquake, the person may develop fear due to the stimuli that reminds the earthquake, Dr. Semra Baripoğlu said, “Some people may not be able to enter the house or the room they were in during the earthquake for days or months. Most people overcome the effects of psychological trauma due to earthquakes within days by using their own coping mechanisms and do not need medical treatment. However, some people develop “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, which we define as a psychiatric illness, which impairs functionality and requires professional support.” said.
If the complaints do not decrease, a specialist should be consulted.
Psychiatrist Dr. Semra Baripoğlu said that if the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder appear, it is absolutely necessary to get professional help, psychotherapy or a drug therapy-supported therapy and concluded her words as follows:
“If these complaints do not subside after a few weeks, if the state of reluctance and apathy such as not being able to sleep, waking up with nightmares, loss of appetite, depressive symptoms, startle at the slightest sound, inability to focus on one's work, and withdrawing from life, then a psychotherapy for trauma is a must. In severe cases, it is necessary to seek medical support with drug therapy. Because there are regions in the brain where these traumatic experiences are recorded and these regions are triggered. It can even be triggered by repeated or earthquake-resembling stimuli. For this reason, it is very important to get an effective treatment without wasting time, it will prevent the person from losing his functions further, and it will quickly restore the quality of life to its former level.
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