I went to Cold Stone today with a couple of my sisters. We used to do that everyday when we first met, but we’ve been slacking lately. Anyways, on our way there I think I must have tripped like five times of course making them laugh hysterically everytime. When we got there we all ordered our ice cream, and for the first time were able to actually sit down and talk about our day. It was so relieving to finally express all the feelings and things that were going on that we hadn’t had time to talk about. We had the best time and laughed so hard and so loud everybody there was looking at us. It really gave us a reminder of why we were so close to begin with and made us even closer, if that is possible. My day was complete after that.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
What a Day
Today was such a hectic day, I had so much to do. My mom seriously called me a million times asking me to do stuff for her on top of everything I had to do for myself, but somehow I managed to get it all done. I guess you can say I’m a trooper. I met this random guy at this store I went to, he was older and looked sad. He asked me if I was shopping for my boyfriend, which I wasn’t, but I thought he wanted to hear I was so I said “yes.” I guess I was right because he started telling me about this time he had to find a gift for his wife, that passed away a couple years ago. It was so sad, but he started helping me and I think it made his day. After I bought a shirt for my boyfriend, which I didn’t even need to buy, he had the biggest smile on his face. I was happy to know that I made his day, and continued on my way a little more cheerful.
Lights,Camera,Action
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Hurricane Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TduvuKna_-o&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-JuQDsDJZ-I&mode=related&search=
•http://youtube.com/watch?v=-JuQDsDJZ-I&mode=related&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-JuQDsDJZ-I&mode=related&search=
•http://youtube.com/watch?v=-JuQDsDJZ-I&mode=related&search=
Monday, April 16, 2007
Health Conditions
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a traumatic event is any event or series of events that causes a lot of stress. Traumatic events often create a profound sense of horror and helplessness. They may result in serious injury, death, or threat of injury or death. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can be traumatic for those who experience them. In Florida, June 1 – November 30 is considered hurricane season. For some, especially those who have experienced previous trauma due to a hurricane, this time of year brings a sense of dread and anxiety. Being proactive can help increase a sense of control. Being prepared is a way to cope with the feelings of anxiety and dread.
Hurricanes affect a lot of people. Whether you are a survivor, rescue worker, family member, co-worker or friend, a hurricane can produce an array of physiological and emotional responses. Though responses vary widely, feelings of fear, grief and depression are common. In addition, physical and behavioral responses such as nausea, dizziness, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns and emotional reactivity may occur. Such symptoms are considered normal reactions to a traumatic event. Most people report feeling better after three months. However, listed below are some ways to reduce the negative impact of a traumatic experience and to promote recovery. If you are concerned about the changes you experience, contact the Employee Assistance Program at 305-284-6604 for help. The EAP can also provide guidance and assistance with mentally and emotionally preparing for a potentially traumatic experience, such as a hurricane.
http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2441-1;38182-3,00.html
Hurricanes affect a lot of people. Whether you are a survivor, rescue worker, family member, co-worker or friend, a hurricane can produce an array of physiological and emotional responses. Though responses vary widely, feelings of fear, grief and depression are common. In addition, physical and behavioral responses such as nausea, dizziness, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns and emotional reactivity may occur. Such symptoms are considered normal reactions to a traumatic event. Most people report feeling better after three months. However, listed below are some ways to reduce the negative impact of a traumatic experience and to promote recovery. If you are concerned about the changes you experience, contact the Employee Assistance Program at 305-284-6604 for help. The EAP can also provide guidance and assistance with mentally and emotionally preparing for a potentially traumatic experience, such as a hurricane.
http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2441-1;38182-3,00.html
Hurricane Andrew Mental Affect on People
AFTER THE STORM
Psychologists on the scene describe the victims' mental anguish and how they are treating it.
Imagine the enormity, to stand in one place and everywhere, as far as you can see, there is damage. There is a loss and bereavement over everything, from tangible to intangible, from a dream to your leg. The scope of this disaster is a major issue, that everyone is going through the same thing. It's loss on a grand scale."
This eyewitness account of the devastation left by the destructive force of Hurricane Andrew is from Charles Gibbs, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and chairperson of the Crisis Response Task Force in Dade County, Florida. He is one of the many mental-health professionals sent to the Homestead area as part of a joint effort between the American Red Cross and the American Psychological Association.
"I remember looking up and seeing body parts flying around me," recounted one survivor to Gibbs of his experiences during the storm. "The walls fell down and then the roof caved in on us:' reported another of the first Force 5 hurricane to befall an American city since Hurricane Camille struck Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1969.
Dubbed the Disaster-Response Network, the volunteer mental-health program was conceived as a 100th birthday gift of the American Psychological Association to victims of disaster everywhere. The network includes not only psychologists, but counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. The idea was simple and a good one: the Red Cross provides physical treatment; the government, in the form of monetary and military aid, provides the basic necessities of life; and volunteers such as Dr. Gibbs offer their psychological services to ease the burden of adjustment into an entirely uncharted and unfamiliar way of life.
In the aftermath of the storm and its relief efforts, from the politicians' "help is on the way so chin up" speeches to the army and Marine invasion of support and aid, how are people reacting to the incredible loss they have suffered now that their basic needs are being met, now that the tents are erected and the kids are back in school?
"The survivors are suffering a myriad of emotional problems," reports Gibbs. "There's a lot of anxiety, restlessness, and an increase in anger and irritability-all of which is a perfectly normal response to a disaster of this magnitude. Many of the children are suffering night terrors. They see 'Andrew' as a real person and they're afraid he's coming back, that he's going to kill them. People feel like they're in a war zone down here-there are 18,000 troops, and the air is filled with helicopters. I know of one family of 65 people, all living in the same shelter, and they're angry because they no longer have control over their lives."
Many, including the armed forces sent to help out, compare the devastation to that of a bombed-out city in Iraq--a sight witnessed by several of those now serving meals and wiring the tents tents electricity Even the bare trees, stripped of their leaves and providing no shade (a normally uncommon sight in South Florida) are constant reminders of the loss.
Psychologists trained in disaster response identify two distinct phases of trauma. Phase One (also called the Impact Phase) is the acute crisis response, typified by feelings of shock, anger, and frustration. During this phase, in which survivors assess their losses and search for what remains, there may be post-traumatic response to storms, a reluctance to accept the need to move into a shelter, and an outbreak of psychosomatic illnesses such as headaches and stomach trouble.
http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19921101-000020.html
Psychologists on the scene describe the victims' mental anguish and how they are treating it.
Imagine the enormity, to stand in one place and everywhere, as far as you can see, there is damage. There is a loss and bereavement over everything, from tangible to intangible, from a dream to your leg. The scope of this disaster is a major issue, that everyone is going through the same thing. It's loss on a grand scale."
This eyewitness account of the devastation left by the destructive force of Hurricane Andrew is from Charles Gibbs, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and chairperson of the Crisis Response Task Force in Dade County, Florida. He is one of the many mental-health professionals sent to the Homestead area as part of a joint effort between the American Red Cross and the American Psychological Association.
"I remember looking up and seeing body parts flying around me," recounted one survivor to Gibbs of his experiences during the storm. "The walls fell down and then the roof caved in on us:' reported another of the first Force 5 hurricane to befall an American city since Hurricane Camille struck Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1969.
Dubbed the Disaster-Response Network, the volunteer mental-health program was conceived as a 100th birthday gift of the American Psychological Association to victims of disaster everywhere. The network includes not only psychologists, but counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. The idea was simple and a good one: the Red Cross provides physical treatment; the government, in the form of monetary and military aid, provides the basic necessities of life; and volunteers such as Dr. Gibbs offer their psychological services to ease the burden of adjustment into an entirely uncharted and unfamiliar way of life.
In the aftermath of the storm and its relief efforts, from the politicians' "help is on the way so chin up" speeches to the army and Marine invasion of support and aid, how are people reacting to the incredible loss they have suffered now that their basic needs are being met, now that the tents are erected and the kids are back in school?
"The survivors are suffering a myriad of emotional problems," reports Gibbs. "There's a lot of anxiety, restlessness, and an increase in anger and irritability-all of which is a perfectly normal response to a disaster of this magnitude. Many of the children are suffering night terrors. They see 'Andrew' as a real person and they're afraid he's coming back, that he's going to kill them. People feel like they're in a war zone down here-there are 18,000 troops, and the air is filled with helicopters. I know of one family of 65 people, all living in the same shelter, and they're angry because they no longer have control over their lives."
Many, including the armed forces sent to help out, compare the devastation to that of a bombed-out city in Iraq--a sight witnessed by several of those now serving meals and wiring the tents tents electricity Even the bare trees, stripped of their leaves and providing no shade (a normally uncommon sight in South Florida) are constant reminders of the loss.
Psychologists trained in disaster response identify two distinct phases of trauma. Phase One (also called the Impact Phase) is the acute crisis response, typified by feelings of shock, anger, and frustration. During this phase, in which survivors assess their losses and search for what remains, there may be post-traumatic response to storms, a reluctance to accept the need to move into a shelter, and an outbreak of psychosomatic illnesses such as headaches and stomach trouble.
http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19921101-000020.html
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