Turkey was shaken by two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. The earthquakes, in which thousands of people lost their lives, also drowned the whole of Turkey. Children are also adversely affected by devastating earthquakes. It is thought that children in the earthquake area or who witnessed the earthquake from afar were heavily affected by the disaster. Specialist Clinical Psychologist Elif Nuhoğlu Akbayır made some statements about this important issue.
“SUPPORT TO CHILDREN MUST BE PROFESSIONAL”
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Akbayır said, “Reshaping life after a major earthquake is a very difficult and challenging process for children and young people. The support offered to children here should be in a professional way. It is also important for the person to feel ready for this before contacting children after the earthquake. If you do not feel ready, an expert should be supported and the process should be managed in a healthy way. said.
According to Akbayır, the effects of the earthquake occur with different symptoms in different age groups;
In preschool children; Somatic complaints such as thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging to parents, various sleep disorders, loss of appetite, regression in skills and behaviors, fear of the dark, abdominal pain
In school age children; irritability, aggression, having nightmares, lack of attention, avoiding school, withdrawing, loss of interest, malaise
In adolescents; sleep and eating disorders, somatic complaints, tension, lack of attention, delinquent behaviors
Children and adolescents may be at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In order to distinguish this, a number of symptoms should be noted.
- Constantly thinking that the earthquake will repeat
- Experiencing an earthquake in a dream during sleep
- Recreating the earthquake while playing a game
- Being unresponsive to emotional issues
- Showing hypersensitivity to loud noise
According to Akbayır, anti-traumatic approaches related to mental health problems that will occur after an earthquake are as follows;
- It is necessary to make the person feel safe. The presence of supportive people will strengthen this sense of trust.
- Since the feeling of ‘loss of control’ after the earthquake will cause problems, it is necessary to make interventions to strengthen it.
- Being with relatives and loved ones always provides a restorative effect. Being a family is important. This is especially important for children. As much as possible, children should be with family and loved ones.
- Since trauma is associated with a stress factor, the person should stay away from the effects of earthquake-related stress. Exposure to information and news about the devastating effects of an earthquake increases stress. Therefore, it is important for the person to stay away from the stress factors that trigger the trauma.
- Balancing nutrition and sleep patterns, which have very important effects on our physical health, positively affects anxiety and stress levels. While going through psychologically challenging processes, the importance given to physical health will bring spiritual well-being.
- Providing support to the traumatized person and making them feel that you are with them; emphasizing that the traumatic situation and the experiences of the person are not the fault of anyone; approaching the person as patiently and understandingly as possible; It is very important to listen to the person from a place that tries to understand the person by avoiding accusatory and judgmental words, and to create a safe space where emotions can be experienced.