The Aftermath Of Katrina: Effect On Hearts, Minds To Linger

A second storm is poised to swamp the victims of Hurricane Katrina: a wave of psychological aftereffects whose consequences could last years.

Mental health experts watching last week’s catastrophe — including some working in the disaster zone and others who have taken in storm refugees — are urging that psychological first aid be a priority. Though relief concerns so far have focused on possible disease outbreaks, they warn that the storm’s victims are equally threatened by traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, family disruption and violence.

The experts are particularly concerned by the effect of the storm on children, whose parents may be so traumatized that they cannot buffer or interpret the experience for their kids.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 7 Sep 2005
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.