Winter arrives and earthquake survivors' trauma is triggered: Insomnia, nightmares, startling...

Ten months have passed since the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6. However, the effects of the earthquake on citizens continue.

According to a report by İlayda Kaya from BirGün; psychiatrists, stating that rain, storms, and thunder remind disaster survivors of the day of February 6, said, “The night of February 6 was very rainy. This week is also very rainy. Complaints such as insomnia, startling, and having nightmares are frequent in the region.” 

"THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 6 WAS VERY RAINY"

Psychiatrist Specialist Dr. Aslı Ceren Hınç, a member of the Psychiatric Association of Turkey, explained the following regarding earthquake trauma: 

“Some of the disaster-stricken citizens are living in large family groups. This situation also affects their psychology. Too many people are living in small households regarding shelter. Interpersonal conflicts can occur. Just like basic needs, there is also a need for psychiatric support. We are conducting group psychotherapy sessions in the Antakya and Defne districts of Hatay. We continue to support citizens in the field. We conduct individual interviews in hospital settings. In the 10th month, we may need to provide medication support to many people as part of psychiatric examination. There are some symptoms that remain more stable compared to the first months, and we are intervening in those. These symptoms include insomnia, nightmares, and reactions like startling when it rains. The night of February 6 was very rainy. This week, the region is rainy, and throughout the week, many people have come with complaints of insomnia. Startle reactions are also very frequent. They can be startled by sounds they would normally ignore. They can get angry quickly; they have low tolerance. Mental complaints have started to emerge more than in the first days.”

WOMEN'S GROUP MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD

Stating that the livelihood problem continues in the region, Hınç touched upon the difficulties experienced by women and continued as follows: 

“There are people who apply due to financial impossibilities, independent of the trauma. Furthermore, the problems women face persist. We are holding ‘women's group meetings’ with women. One of the fundamental problems is that women who continue to live in containers are experiencing hygiene issues. In the meetings, we see an example of women bonding with each other. Domestic problems, children, financial impossibilities, memories related to the earthquake, and experiences are discussed in these group meetings.”

"CHILDREN FREEZE UP"

Demolition work carried out near schools and in areas where citizens live is being done in front of the eyes of citizens and children. While some children who witness certain demolitions try to run away from the area screaming, it is observed that some children exhibit a freezing reaction. 

Hınç said: “Some children freeze up during the demolition. The freezing reaction is one of the responses given to trauma. Children should not witness these visuals in a safe environment like a school. The medical chamber is holding meetings regarding these issues. We are reporting the demolitions to the authorities. The most important thing is not to expose children to a second trauma.”

"MY CHILD WAS SOMETIMES WETTING THE BED"

Disaster-stricken citizens also drew attention to the inadequacy of the work carried out in the region. A citizen staying in a tent in Adıyaman said, “We haven't been able to recover after the earthquake. Parents, along with their children, need support. The region is now considered normal, but it should not be.” Samet S., who was caught in the earthquake in Hatay and lost two siblings, said, “After the earthquake, my child would startle every time lightning struck, and sometimes he would wet the bed. Almost a year has passed. The weather conditions remind us of that day. At night, when it rains, he waits without sleeping.”

News Source: 12punto