Katrina stress

From the Sun Herald:

"Nearly 35 residents of Hancock and Harrison counties convened upon United Methodist Church on Tuesday and listened attentively as Dr. Kevin Becker outlined a "Psychological Response to Disaster."

Many in the audience nodded their heads in recognition as Becker, director of Harvard's Center for Trauma, spoke to the residents on the psychological and physical characteristics that occur after a traumatic event such as Hurricane Katrina."

and later:

"Becker said other risk factors are an increase in domestic violence, drug and alcohol use, and smoking. Drawing from a correlation with a study after Sept. 11, 2001, Becker said, "Smoking and alcoholism went through the roof in the area around Manhattan."

As surprising as it may seem, Becker said that some residents feel a sense of guilt for not losing as much as their neighbors in the hurricane. With guilt comes withdrawal and isolation, he said, which are factors that need to be worked through with counseling."