Japan's 9.0 Earthquake: Survivor Trauma Reactions

Japan encountered an enormous earthquake and resulting tsunami on March 11, 2011. It is estimated that at least 20 thousand are deceased or missing. The survivors of this disaster have faced many challenges including emotional and coping difficulties, financial strain, physical injuries, lack of resources, and many more. As stated by some foremost psychologists, most people will adjust to their life after the earthquake, yet while others will encounter harsh psychological issues.

The ones with a high degree of psychological risk are the survivors with:

• Little to no pre-existing established support network
• A history of trauma that remains unresolved or has never been treated
• Untreated psychological disorders
• A pre-existing mental or mood disorder such as Major Depression
• Coping skills that are not adequate

Common survivor experiences following a disaster like the Japan earthquake may include:
--Unreality feelings
--Major changes in mood
--Problems with falling or staying asleep
--Severely decreased appetite
--Easily startled
--Greater reactions to trauma triggers (for example: aftershocks)
--Shock

The Kobe earthquake in 1995 marked the first earthquake in Japan's history to spur an organized psychiatric trauma response effort. Since then, following the 2011 earthquake in Japan, psychiatric teams were deployed into the effected areas helping those in need. Interestingly, the mental health relief effort has primarily focused on supplying the survivors' physical needs prior to meeting their psychological needs. It is not uncommon for those that survive a disaster to not be able to deal with their emotions when they are still in need of the basic staples such as food and shelter. Even with all of the relief efforts that have been launched, it is most likely that the psychological symptoms of the survivors will continue for years.

Japan's sense of community and their strong family values will pose to be great advantages in their rebuilding efforts. Both physical and psychological healing is necessary for those affected and may very well be expedited by their emphasis on community support and teamwork. This support network seen in Japan through this disaster may serve as a model for other societies who endure similar circumstances. Especially if one's survival may one day depend on it.

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