Earthquake fear is becoming chronic!

Millions of people living with the reality of earthquakes in Turkey are trying to cope with the increasing anxiety after each tremor.

Experts point out that when earthquake fear exceeds "normal" limits, it can develop into an anxiety disorder that impacts daily life and physical health. Emphasizing that earthquake fear is manageable, experts said, "Living on constant alert is not a real way of life. The human mind cannot withstand this tension for long."

Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Önder Kavakçı emphasized that people consider the ground they walk on and their homes safe, and that an earthquake fundamentally shakes this belief. He said, "People assume the ground they walk on and the home they live in are safe. When you enter your home, you feel relaxed; you're safe. An earthquake shakes our beliefs about this safest place and creates the perception that 'nowhere is safe.' Small tremors can be quickly forgotten, but recurring earthquakes can create a persistent sense of threat. In such cases, a person may feel as if they're being shaken even when there's no tremor at the time. Even the slightest movement of a table or chair can trigger an alarm."

According to experts, fear of earthquakes is normal up to a certain level. However, when it exceeds certain limits, it can develop into an anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress reaction. Kavakçı listed the symptoms that can be observed in this situation as follows:

"A constant feeling of alertness, startle, or tremors Palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness Sleep disturbances, nightmares Intolerance, restlessness, irritability A feeling of numbness, emotional dullness, or emptiness. How are children affected?

Earthquakes profoundly affect not only adults but also children. Kavakçı explained that children learn their fear responses from adults, saying, "Children look to their elders to assess danger. If parents remain calm, children can overcome the situation more easily. However, when adults react strongly, the child's fear and insecurity increase."

Kavakçı offered the following advice to parents:

"Give children accurate, age-appropriate information. Don't belittle their fears, don't say "it's okay". Make him/her feel that you are with him/her, if possible do not leave him/her alone. "Set limits on destructive images on television or social media."

Failure to receive the necessary treatment in a timely manner may cause problems to become chronic.

Clinical Psychologist Mader Bengisu Bilgen emphasized that one of the most significant problems caused by earthquakes is the shattering of a person's basic sense of trust due to the destruction of their safe environment. She said, "Exaggerated startle, panic at the slightest tremor or loud noise, and persistent alertness as if there were constant danger, even in a safe environment and after a considerable amount of time has passed, can indicate the onset of psychological problems. Traumatic reactions intensify and impair a person's functioning; symptoms can lead to difficulty returning to life habits (such as work, education, relationships, and, in the future, hobbies), and anxiety about not being able to do so. After major natural disasters like earthquakes, individuals can develop psychological disorders such as sleep disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, dissociative disorders, and alcohol and substance abuse. Failure to seek timely treatment can disrupt a person's functioning and lead to chronic problems."

Bilgen explained that post-traumatic recovery also begins with bodily adjustment, and that repetitive movements like walking, running, and cycling accelerate psychological recovery. He added, "Due to the shattering of basic trust caused by the earthquake, individuals may lose the ability to verify information and easily begin to believe what they hear. Ambiguous and unreliable sharing can easily lead individuals whose basic trust has been shattered to be manipulated, deepening social anxiety."

Source: IHA | This content was published by Cansu Akalp