Disaster situations can be overwhelming – both physically and emotionally. It is important to understand how stress related to a disaster can impact your disability. Anyone affected by a disaster may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

 Thought

 Behavior
  • Poor concentration
  • Confusion
  • Slowness of thought
  • Limited ability to communicate verbally or in writing
  • Forgetfulness
  • Poor judgment
  • Limited ability to think of alternatives or prioritize

 
  • Hyperactivity
  • Angry outbursts
  • Limited objectivity
  • Withdrawal, isolation, or distancing Increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
  • Avoidance of activities or places
  • Family problems

 

 

 Psychological or Emotional 

 Physical
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability or restlessness
  • Depression or crying
  • Anger or blaming
  • Apathy or diminished interest in usual activities
  • Feelings of isolation or estrangement
  • Feelings of guilt about surviving
  • Denial or constricted feelings
  • Exaggerated reactions to being startled
  • Recurrent nightmares
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive sleeping

 
  • Headaches
  • Weakness
  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Sore muscles
  • Sweating or chills
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Heavy feeling in arms or legs
  • Lump in your throat
  • Chest pain
  • Tremors
  • Fatigue
  • Increase in allergies, colds, or flu
  • Heart palpitations