THE APPLICATIONS OF REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY IN DISASTER RELIEF AND PTSD SURVIVORS
BY: Shuchi Sharda (FYC PSYCH)
INTRODUCTION
Natural or Man-made disasters more often than not strike with an unpredictable force, leaving behind not only physical or tangible devastation but also long-lasting psychological scars. While the immediate responses are medical interventions focusing on the survival of the person, the longer-term psychological rehabilitation of survivors is often under-addressed, particularly seen in the cases of individuals who develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rehabilitation Psychology, employing its unique blend of clinical knowledge and psychological support, plays an essential role in guiding and aiding disaster survivors through the process of healing and rebuilding their lives much like the Japanese art technique called, Kintsugi- the art of repairing broken pottery in-turn creating something much more beautiful.
UNDERSTANDING THE DISASTER RELIEF CONTEXTS OF REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY
The focal point of Rehabilitation Psychology is helping individuals regain their mental, emotional, and physical functionality after a severe trauma sort of like finding one’s footing back after a tumble but on a much deeper and grave level. In disaster contexts, where individuals may lose loved ones, homes, and a sense of security, this branch of psychology becomes vital. The survivors often face overwhelming psychological consequences and obstacles, such as depression, anxiety, and most notably, PTSD.
These disasters create an environment where the survivors are pushed to take on immense loss, powerlessness, and uncertainty, all of which are fertile ground for psychological distress. Rehabilitation psychologists work within this complex framework, acknowledging that the recovery process is not just centred around rebuilding infrastructure but also needs to work on mending fractured emotional and mental states. By aiding survivors in processing their trauma, these professionals strive to enhance resilience, reduce the likelihood of long-term mental health issues, and facilitate a pathway towards holistic psychological recovery.
ROLE OF REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY IN PTSD TREATMENT
PTSD is one of the most prevalent diagnoses for disaster survivors. The intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness experienced by PTSD patients can be crippling. The evidence-based applications of rehabilitation psychology address these symptoms with techniques designed to help survivors navigate their trauma and regain control of their lives .
One of the central therapeutic approaches within these applications is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly trauma-centered CBT, which helps individuals restructure their thoughts and form healthier coping strategies. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, survivors are taught to metamorphosize their pain into strength through psychological rehabilitation. Another technique is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which alleviates the vividness and emotional impact of traumatic memories and flashes through guided eye movements promoting adaptive cognitive processing. Psychologists work towards restoring mental balance, steadily lessening the dominion of the trauma experienced on the emotional and cognitive processes of the survivor until there is complete independence by employing these techniques.
A major chunk of the process of rehabilitation is comprehension and acknowledgement of the fact that recovery is not linear, it’s like navigating through a multi-dimensional wreckage often while being faced with hurdles, going back to square one, moments or periods of utter despair and the fear of losing control and hitting rock bottom. Hence arises the need to adopt a client-centered approach, which respects these fluctuating factors while consistently working toward the ultimate goal: long-term emotional recovery and stability.
THE WHO’S FRAMEWORK: INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH IN DISASTER RELIEF
In recent years, local, national and global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have acknowledged the severe need the for inclusion of mental health and rehabilitation services under the disaster response frameworks. WHO’s Emergency Medical Team (EMT) initiative has spearheaded this agenda, ensuring that physical and psychological rehabilitation is an integral part of immediate disaster relief response. This holistic approach ensures the hand-in-hand inculcation and consideration of survivors’ acute medical needs and long-term care for their mental health.
The EMT initiative comes with standards for the rehabilitation process in emergency responses, recognizing that mental health must be an integral component of disaster recovery. As a part of this program, mental health professionals collaborate with the local and international medical response teams, to ensure provisions of psychological care even after the initial crisis passes. The objective is the creation of a continuum of care which empowers survivors, and aids them in rebuilding not only their homes but also their psychological resilience and well-being.
Despite these efforts, there are still gaps in the widespread implementation of rehabilitation-inclusive disaster management plans, particularly in developing nations. Many of the disaster-prone regions are lack the necessary mental health infrastructure, which leaves the survivors vulnerable to untreated psychological trauma. Therefore, strengthening national rehabilitation capacities, including training local healthcare workers in psychological first aid, is critical to ensure a comprehensive disaster relief effort.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN REHABILITATION POST-DISASTER
While the importance of rehabilitation psychology is now widely acknowledged and understood, there are still several challenges in its implementation during disaster relief. The lack of trained mental health professionals who would be able to provide both immediate and long-term psychological care is one of the most significant barriers. Another is the level of stigma that is still associated with mental health in various cultures, which could prevent survivors from seeking help even when it is available. Moreover, rehabilitation efforts often fall short of addressing the psychological needs of individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, who are disproportionately affected by disasters.
However, several opportunities to improve rehabilitation psychology’s role in disaster management exist. The use of telepsychology, for instance, has augmented the reach of mental health services to the remote regions affected by disasters. Mobile clinics, online therapy sessions, and digital platforms grant the continuation of psychological care even when there is limited access to traditional therapy.
Furthermore, response plans or drills for disaster preparedness are increasingly inculcating mental health aspects too, acknowledging that the psychological resilience of survivors and communities is as crucial as their physical resilience. Community centres, schools, and workplaces are now including psychological first aid training to equip non-professionals with skills to provide immediate emotional support to the survivors. This is a proactive approach that helps in mitigating the long-term mental health impacts of disasters by fostering a supportive, community-centred recovery environment.
CONCLUSION: REBUILDING MINDS, HEALING SPIRITS
As we peek into the future of disaster management, the incorporation of rehabilitation psychology applications will be integral to ensuring the holistic recovery of the survivors and community. These mentioned applications’ inculcation in disaster relief not only will mitigate the immediate effects of trauma but also lay the groundwork for building long-term resilience. Much like the ancient wisdom of the Indian epic Mahabharata, where Arjuna must confront his internal fears before triumphing over the external battle at hand, disaster survivors too need to get in touch with their internal struggles in order to reach catharsis and rebuild their lives wholly.
In the words of Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Rehabilitation psychology embodies this philosophy, guiding survivors through the process of psychological transformation and renewal.
RESOURCES:
Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation – Geography of natural hazards and Disaster management. (n.d.). https://ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in/geop15/chapter/disaster-relief-and-rehabilitation/
Amatya, B., & Khan, F. (2023). Disaster Response and Management: The Integral Role of Rehabilitation. Annals of rehabilitation medicine, 47(4), 237–260. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23071
Khan, F., Amatya, B., Lee, S. Y., & Vasudevan, V. (2019). Rehabilitation in Disaster Relief. Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America, 30(4), 723–747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2019.06.001
Amatya, B., Galea, M., Li, J., & Khan, F. (2017). Medical rehabilitation in disaster relief: Towards a new perspective. Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 49(8), 620–628. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2250
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shuchi Sharda is a first-year B.Sc. Applied Psychology student, fascinated by biopsychology, literature, and the arts. Often immersed in books or Marvel fan theories, she quotes Harry Potter (forever stanning Sirius Black) and dissects the hidden layers or ideations in films and shows. A writer of poems and short stories, she fancies the idea of one day publishing her own book. Fuelled by coffee and serenaded by Harry Styles and old Bollywood tunes, she embraces her witty sarcasm. A Delhi native, she’s a devoted cat admirer with an analytical eye for symbolism and hidden meanings to little things in life.
Comments
Post a Comment