A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. They can destroy structures, uproot trees, and hurl objects through the air at dangerous speeds. They may occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year.
Tornadoes can form and strike with little to no warning, and people in impacted areas often have little time to react. Due he unpredictable nature of tornados, it’s common for people to experience emotional distress. Symptoms of distress may appear before, during, and after a tornado. They may manifest in hours, days, weeks, months, or even years after the event occurs. Common signs and symptoms of emotional distress include:
- Overwhelming anxiety or sadness
- Worrying a lot or feeling guilty but unsure why
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Thinking that something is going to happen when forecasts for any storm are issued
- Constant yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Having nightmares, thoughts, or memories related to the storm
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Anger, feeling edgy or lashing out at others
- Not connecting with others
- Lack of energy
- Feeling like you have to keep busy
- Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomach-aches or headaches
- Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs, including prescription medications
- Having difficulty re-adjusting to home or work life