Coping With Children's Reactions During a Disaster

"The February 1971 earthquake was one of the most dramatic and unpredictable events that had ever occurred to many children in the Los Angeles area. They were awakened at 5:59 a.m. by a frightening shaking of the earth, their beds rocking - sometimes moving across the room, furniture tumbling over, walls rattling, toys falling off the shelves. In many instances they saw their parents upset and frightened and perhaps clutching them."

San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic
Federal Emergency Management Agency

When there is an interruption in the natural flow of life, the child experiences anxiety and fear.

Fear and Anxiety
Fear is a normal reaction to any danger which threatens life or well-being. What is a child afraid of after a disaster?

• He/She is afraid of recurrence, or injury or death
  
• He/She is afraid of being separated from the family
  
• He/She is afraid of being left alone

The child, who is dependent on adults for love, care, security-even food, fears most the loss of his/her parents and being left alone. The child, taking parental fears as a proof that the danger is real, become afraid. Fantasied danger can be as real and threatening as "real danger".

In natural disasters parents tend to ignore the emotional needs of the child once they are relieved that nothing "serious" has happened to the family. This is even more of a threat when the disaster happens when the family is separated and the child can not pick up the phone and call you to let you know what has happened or just to hear your voice. One must recognize that a child who is afraid is afraid! If the child feels that you are not understanding his/her fears the child feels ashamed, rejected, unloved and consequently, even more afraid. A first step for parents is to understand the kinds of fear and anxiety a child experiences. The child feels even more fearful or anxious when suddenly he/she is unable to turn to you for reassurance.

ADVICE TO PARENTS:

What can you do to help you child?
It is of great importance for the family to remain together!
Fears of being abandoned and unprotected are immediately alleviated. You should not leave the child in a "safe" place while you go elsewhere to inspect possible damage. The child needs reassurance by your words as well as your actions! "We are all together and nothing has happened to us". It will not harm the child to let him/her know that you are also afraid. Encourage your child to talk about his/her own feelings or fears. Communications is most helpful in reducing the child's anxiety. The child may then express some fears which are not real and you will have an opportunity to explore these fears and reassure the child.

Listen to what the child tells you about fears. Listen when the child tells about how he/she feels, what he/she thinks of what has happened. Explain to the child, as well as you can, about the disaster (the fear- inducing event), about the known facts and, again, listen! Encourage the child to talk.

A child may sometimes revert to "childish" behavior which he/she has outgrown. Wetting the bed, clinging to the parents, thumb sucking, and other problems may occur temporarily, and should not alarm you. These behaviors are only signs of the child's anxiety, and your acceptance will reassure the child and shorten the duration of such behaviors. When you over-react to these behavior patterns (become over-concerned, punish, or nag the child) these symptoms will persist much longer.

It is necessary to become somewhat flexible. It is natural for a child to want to be close to you. The child may become afraid of beds, the house, or darkness. Spending more time with the child during the day will make him/her feel more secure in the evening and at night.

Children respond to praise, and parents should make a deliberate effort not to focus on the child's immature behavior.

It is very important that you make a deliberate effort to avoid inactivity and to get back to a routine. You should indicate to your child that they are maintaining control: they should be understanding but firm, supportive and make decisions for your child. If the family is evacuated, there will be a delay in a return to normal. Planned activities in such centers will increase the morale of all and prevent immobilization of the child's own resources.

If problems persist please do not hesitate in calling a pediatrician, family doctor physician, the local mental health center or clinic for advice in helping your family cope with the disaster.

• An earthquake in this region will disrupt life as we know it.
• With no electricity we will be unable to bank, go to the grocery store, get fuel for our vehicles.
• Transportation routes will be severely affected as will the commodities which travel these routes from east to west.
• Pipelines which transport various fuels can be impacted as they flow through this region.
• Phone systems can become damaged. Cellular service, if not damaged, will become quickly overloaded.
• Schools and businesses will be disrupted.