Survivor Guilt and
Stress Caused by Disasters

Survivor guilt is just one stressful effect that can be caused by a disaster. A natural or manmade disaster may only last a short time, but the long-term effects on a person can be dramatic and extreme.

Hurricanes, tornados and fires are just a couple examples of catastrophic events that can cause you to experience severe stress, especially if it results in injury or death of a loved one. Recovering after the loss of everything can be one of the most stressful situations a person may experience in a lifetime. These events are often difficult because you cannot predict they will happen.


Effects of Disasters

The long-term mental effects come along with the immediate harm caused by a disaster. People who have lived through a catastrophe often experience feelings of:

• anxiety,
• sadness,
• anger,
• or depression.

Some people may even harm themselves more by turning to alcohol or other drugs. People will often be more likely to argue with others and nightmares of the event are common.

Another potential effect of the aftermath is survivor guilt. Some survivors feel guilty they lived while others where killed, and believe they are no more deserving to live than those that died resulting in feelings of guilt. Victims of disasters may even experience post-traumatic stress syndrome months or years after the event occurred.


Coping After a Disaster

There are ways to cope after a disaster. The most important thing is to remember that you are not alone. There are others out there who have experienced the same thing at one time or another. Remember that there are people who want to help and it is important not to be afraid to accept help or ask for help when you need it.

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