When the tornado roared through the region June 6, it claimed five lives, millions of dollars of property and for many, peace of mind.

Throughout the week, TV, newspapers and the Internet brought a non-stop gallery of images and stories of destruction and devastation.

The trauma left behind in the aftermath of a disaster can be long-lasting for victims.

“What you have to remember is it’s normal to grieve after such a devastating event,” said Dr. Mychail Scheramic, a psychologist and manager of the Ketterer Behavioral Center at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. “It can be a very healthy process for people to go through the process of mourning and cleanup and rebuilding. They’re coping with a big portion of their lives.

“Whether you were a victim yourself, a witness, or just saw the devastation on TV or driving by, the trauma can produce a sense of shock, sadness and fear,” he said. He added that over time and with their own support systems, most people are able to cope with the emotional and physical demands after a natural disaster.

For children who might not be able to verbalize everything they’re thinking or feeling, it’s especially important for adults to initiate a conversation about what happened.

“Parents should encourage kids to talk about their feelings,” Dr. Scheramic said. “Kids often have concern for others’ safety and for their own safety after such events.

“Sometimes with very young children who may be too young to express themselves, they will find an outlet in coloring a picture, or incorporating some of the things that are troubling them in pictures they draw,” he said.

“What we do know is that being proactive –  having a sense of plan for what could happen and how to deal with it and how to try and prevent harm are all things that help with our psychological adjustment to difficult situations like this,” he said.

“In other words, if we know and if we can prepare ourselves for what might be, it’s a lot easier for us to face fearful situations, anything from another tornado warning or test of the sirens, or things like going to the dentist,” he said.

“You can walk kids through a scenario…if this would happen, what would you do?” Dr. Scheramic said. “It’s important that you do it in a way that gives them a sense of control, rather than creating a sense of urgency or fear.   “It’s also important to reassure them that this is a very unusual situation,” he said. “They need to know it’s unlikely that these things are going to happen again and that we give kids, especially young kids, a sense that we as parents will make sure that they’re safe.”

Parents should be concerned if kids are showing signs of trauma like nightmares or bedwetting long term after a trauma. “A short number of these symptoms just after a trauma might not be very unusual, but if it’s further away and you’re still seeing evidence of extreme upset in kids or even adults, then it might be time to consider talking to a professional about it,” Dr. Scheramic said.

He urged parents who are concerned to talk with a family doctor, pediatrician or a social worker or psychologist.

The American Psychological Association offers these steps to help families restore emotional well-being and a sense of control following a natural disaster:

• Give yourself time to heal. Anticipate that this will be a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to mourn the losses you have experienced. Try to be patient with changes in your emotional state.

• Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation, but keep in mind that your typical support system may be weakened if those who are close to you also have experienced or witnessed the trauma.

• Communicate your experience in whatever ways feel comfortable to you such as by talking with family or close friends, or keeping a diary.

• Find out about local support groups that often are available such as for those who have suffered from natural disasters. These can be especially helpful for people with limited personal support systems.

• Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest. If you experience ongoing difficulties with sleep, you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques. Avoid alcohol and drugs because they can suppress your feelings rather than help you to manage and lessen your distress. In addition, alcohol and drugs may intensify your emotional or physical pain.

• Establish or reestablish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. This can be especially important when the normal routines of daily life are disrupted. Even if you are in a shelter and unable to return home, establish routines that can bring comfort. Take some time off from the demands of daily life by pursuing hobbies or other enjoyable activities.

• Help those you can. Helping others, even during your own time of distress, can give you a sense of control and can make you feel better about yourself.

• Avoid major life decisions such as switching careers or jobs if possible because these activities tend to be highly stressful.

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