Psychological Support

Why Psychological Support is Critical in Earthquakes Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that natural disasters such as earthquakes always affect not just specific individuals but wide populations, having widespread impact. He stated that in two successive severe earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş and caused major damage in 10 provinces, more than 18,000 people lost their lives. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that the earthquake was also monitored by world public opinion and that relief efforts were mobilized from all parts of the country to assist the region, highlighted the importance of psychological first aid for earthquake survivors.

Earthquake victims want to feel understood

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that it is important for earthquake victims to first feel understood, said: "In such an earthquake situation, earthquake victims need to feel that they are understood. As a society, we need to make people in that region feel that we fully understand the pain and suffering they are experiencing. We do feel this as a society; we are a society with high empathy. We are so empathetic that we would almost sit down and cry with someone who is crying. This is actually a quality that comes from our culture." he said.

We must not fall into the trap of assigning meaning!

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that earthquakes have a traumatic effect, stated: "Just as we did not forget the 17 August Marmara earthquake. This earthquake will not be forgotten either. The most common mistake made here is assigning meaning. This is not the time to assign meaning to this earthquake. This situation is like this: When a fire breaks out, one does not ask why the fire broke out, why it happened that way, why you did that, or why you did not take precautions. First the fire is extinguished and cooled, and then the causes are discussed. In earthquakes and other crises, assigning meaning should not be done; instead, focus should be placed on the work that needs to be done in the initial stages. Here, as a society, everyone should focus on what they need to do at that moment." he said.

There is a need to feel safe

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that the greatest need in such situations is trust, said: "The most urgent need of people in the region is the need for security. They need to feel that they are not alone. They need to feel safe. This need relieves their sense of panic; secondly, they have a need for information. Uncertainty and silence increase anxiety and fear even more." he said.

Shock is experienced first in crisis

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the stages people go through in a crisis, said: "In the first stage there is a shock phase. In that shock phase, we sometimes see people wandering around staring blankly. We can see people whose loved ones are trapped under rubble walking around indifferently. This is actually due to the severity of the shock. The brain blocks itself and makes the person numb. If the person did not do this, they would lose their mind. The brain secretes excess cortisol. With that cortisol, the pathways in the brain are blocked. This is like this: When a person's arm is broken, the pain is so severe that you cannot move the arm. In fact, you should not move it because it is dangerous, and the body reflexively stops the movement. Similarly, the brain blocks itself. Some people experience this shock phase." he said.

Cognitive dulling and blocking occur

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that people may engage in unusual behavior during the shock phase, said: "Those who go to help in earthquake areas need to take this into account. It is a rule of psychological first aid that the first thing a person who goes to intervene in a crisis such as a natural disaster learns in psychological first aid is cognitive dulling and blocking in people during that shock phase. People need to accept panic behavior in others. Correcting a person's erroneous action with advice will not work. In such situations, they will hold the person's hand, say 'We are with you, we want to help', or sometimes just sitting silently beside them can work." he said.

It can last 6-8 weeks

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that after the shock phase, some people may experience a protest phase, said: "In this period, people may react saying 'Why did this happen, why did this happen to me, I do not deserve this'. This phase is followed by a passivity phase. In some people, passivity appears as entering a depressive state of mind. The person seems as if they have regressed to childhood. Then a recovery phase emerges. All of these generally occur within a 6-8 week period." he said.

Insomnia is seen in post-traumatic stress disorder

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that if all these processes continue longer than 6-8 weeks, one can speak of post-traumatic stress disorder, said: "People with post-traumatic stress disorder cannot sleep at night because they are constantly thinking about it or seeing this event in their dreams. What we call flashback is reliving. The person seems to experience the shock moment of the earthquake, the shaking moment, again and again." he said.

The person must succeed in overcoming this pain

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that the person is constantly on alert and may experience frequent startles, said: "There are startles at sudden noises and they constantly talk about this topic. They talk about this topic for 50 of 60 minutes. If this condition continues longer than 6-8 weeks, help is needed. It is natural for this condition to last 6-8 weeks; medication should not be given during this period. Medication should not be given unless it is a very extreme situation. This is pain; the person must succeed in experiencing and overcoming this pain." he said.

Feelings of uncertainty must be relieved

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that in disasters and crisis situations such as earthquakes, meeting people's basic needs and relieving feelings of uncertainty are very important, said: "Here, the presence of uncertainty creates excessive anxiety and fear about the future. The reactions given here can vary from person to person. Some withdraw into themselves, some talk constantly and try to tell the same thing over and over again. Some people begin to think that life is empty and meaningless." he said.

Careful approach is needed for children, elderly people and people with disabilities

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noting that the approach to disadvantaged people is also important, said: "Children react differently, the elderly react differently, people with disabilities react differently. In such situations, the disadvantaged people here are children, elderly people, patients, people with disabilities and those in hospitals. We must not oppress the other side with our looks and behavior; constantly dwelling on them, trembling over them, treating them in some special way, creates a sense of gratitude and embarrassment. The other side may feel bad. A balanced attitude must be adopted here. Care must be taken that the person being helped is not hurt, that the person being helped does not feel bad." he said. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also emphasized that unless earthquake victims themselves wish it, the subject of the earthquake should not be brought up.