depression

[bevgo]

I feel it too. Some is survivor guilt but the rest is just the aweful devastation we have to see every day. I almost hate going out to eat because it is more often or not, a limited menu. Shopping is just gone but the worst part is the stories from people you meet. Terrible stories of survival and loss that break your heart. I know it gets better daily but I am irritated with people that say that if they are not here when they say it. If you have not been here (or been through it yourself in another area) you cannot possible understand the scope and impact of the devastation. I am tired of having to constantly say how lucky I am cause I still have a home and job. I still have effects from Katrina and I stil have the emotional effects too. We have a big reason to feel the way we do.

[Deb321]

I feel it too. Some is survivor guilt but the rest is just the aweful devastation we have to see every day. I almost hate going out to eat because it is more often or not, a limited menu. Shopping is just gone but the worst part is the stories from people you meet. Terrible stories of survival and loss that break your heart. I know it gets better daily but I am irritated with people that say that if they are not here when they say it. If you have not been here (or been through it yourself in another area) you cannot possible understand the scope and impact of the devastation. I am tired of having to constantly say how lucky I am cause I still have a home and job. I still have effects from Katrina and I stil have the emotional effects too. We have a big reason to feel the way we do.

I'm very sorry for what you are having to go through. I know how you feel. I went through Frances and Jeanne coming in on top of me last year just 3 weeks apart and I just couldn't believe it. I told my husband at that time getting through the storm was the easy part the aftermath of the storm would be the hard part. I know emotionally I still am horrified. Then here came Wilma who decided to exit where Frances and Jeanne hit last year. I know I am lucky compared to what those on the Gulf Coast had to deal with and what they continue to deal with even now, but when you go through these storms and deal with the aftermath it just does something to you and it is something I will never forget. Hang in there and good luck to you

[LaPlaceFF]

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=76841


I know the feeling.

[sunny]

I have been put on nerve pills, I was having real bad panic attacks. I though my heart would come through my chest. I would bust out crying uncontrollably for no reason at all. It is getting better, though.

[Zackiedawg]

Sorry to hear it's such hard going for many of you. I'm sure many are in the same situation, as the disasters have been coming in rapid succession lately.

Sure...it's the same old statement - hang on, focus, power through, and you'll come out the other side a stronger and better person...and yes, it will get better. But you also need to cling to the important things in your life, which aren't the bad things. Revel in the stories of survival - as hard as they are, they fortify the idea that many people DID survive, and will continue to survive. Revel in the recovery, how things get cleaner, debris piles get smaller, glass is replaced, buildings repaired, roofs reinstalled, and walls repainted. Place more value in the things that are improving, in the signs of life and rebirth all around you, rather than dwell on what has already happened and can't be retracted.

And participate. This is an opportunity hidden inside a tragedy...rather than let it close you in and run you down, you need to let events like this be an opportunity to change yourself and the world around you for the better...trials and tribulations are part-and-parcel of life, and without the balance of something bad, we would never understand something good.

After the tragedy of 9/11, New Yorkers who normally go about their lives with blinders on, too busy to interact with those around them and too stressed to take the time to meet strangers and neighbors, were united in a common bond, and out of that tragedy emerged a strengthened city, a friendlier and tighter community, and a desire to rebuild bigger and better than before.

Those who have gone through the hurricanes of the past 2 years have that same opportunity. I won't pretend to understand exactly what you are going through - I have been hit by three hurricanes in the past 12 months, but no damage near the scale of what the gulf coast has experienced. But what I have seen and experienced from our challenges I would imagine is similar to what gulf-coasters have been seeing: friendliness. I have spoken to neighbors I've lived next to for years without ever meeting. I've spoken to strangers at gas stations and people at the market. I've received e-mails from long lost friends in town. All of us suddenly find ourselves united in our experiences - and our community is a friendlier, more down-to-earth, stronger place than it ever was before. Boca Raton is not known for friendliness...it is a disconnected, rich beach town, full of guarded neighborhoods, walls, guard gates, mega-houses spread apart, and a number of people too important to interact with those around them. Yet, since we've gone through these storms, people of all classes are talking, laughing, recounting stories of disaster, fear, or relief - neighborhoods are opening up - those within the walls are getting to know eachother, and during the weeks we've spent without power, the gates were removed and the community reached out and connected with eachother.

Again...I cannot compare to the scale of disaster you witnessed and are living through. By comparison, our three storms, as bad as they were to us, are much more trivial. But as crazy as it sounds, I consider each of the hurricanes in the last 12 months to be good experiences. Sure...we were financially affected. Sure, I had lots of cleanup and repairs. Living without power for 8, 4, and 6 days (Frances, Jeanne, and Wilma, respectively) was challenging. But I helped others. Others helped me. Neighbors pitched in for other neighbors. People from all over town with chainsaws and tarps donated time and supplies at random. Younger kids were helping older folks unsolicited. I came away with friends instead of neighbors...and a renewed sense of pride in my town and state. Even traveling - to Key West, Orlando, Tampa...I meet others who can relate and share stories - either from their personal experiences or because they dodged the bullets and wanted to hear what it was like.

Just keep cleaning, working, and communicating. Enjoy each and every step of the recovery, as you get the opportunity to be one of the architects of your reborn town. You will be that much more connected to the community and the city, and things truly will get better...maybe better than they were before.

[SouthFloridawx]

I have noticed that a lot people here in Palm Beach county show the following emotional symptoms?

Irritation
Nervous
Anxiety Stricken
Sad
Depressed
Anger


And other things at times. I know that driving here after the hurricane has been absolutely horendous. Every just seems so uptight. I like to go by the motto of what goes around comes around so try to treat people as nice as you can cause you never know who you may pass it on to.