recovering from loss grief and trauma after a wildfire

The loss of a home or cherished possessions during a wildfire can leave lasting emotional scars. Processing grief and navigating trauma are critical steps toward recovery. Here’s how to recognize the impacts and move toward healing.

How Grief and Trauma Manifest After Natural Disasters like Wildfires:

Grief from property loss or displacement is complex and multifaceted. It often intertwines with trauma, manifesting as:

  • Persistent sadness or hopelessness
  • Irritability and anger outbursts
  • Emotional detachment or numbness

Natural disasters are stressful events that occur suddenly, affect many people together, and have a defined duration (Heanoy and Brown, 2024; McFarlane and Norris, 2006).

Natural disasters such as fires or earthquakes can cause significant stress in some people and potentially exacerbate preexisting reactions associated with past trauma. For instance, if one had been affected by other natural disasters (e.g. earthquake) or did not have a stable home for the majority of their life, losing a home to the recent fires can be tragic and traumatizing. About one third of disaster-affected people will develop a mental health condition such as anxiety and PTSD (Heanoy and Brown, 2024). In addition to being exposed to disaster, social and environmental factors, such as displacement and changes in close relationships, along with daily life challenges like low income, job and property loss, the death of family members, and financial instability, can contribute to or worsen negative psychological effects (Heanoy and Brown, 2024).

The traumatic loss might carry three associations:

  • What is currently lost & what was physically lost before (e.g. house)
  • What is currently lost & what was subjectively lost or missing before (e.g. safety, shelter, belonging, home)
  • What is currently lost & what will never be (e.g. missed or lost opportunities, loss of hope, rebuilding a house that won’t be exactly like the one lost)

Why Trauma Responses after Wildfires may Differ for People:

Grief following tragedies can be disenfranchised because the general public may not fully understand that for those who have lost a house, it is more than that. It is a place that harbored memories, experiences, stories, and had sentimental value. For those who have lost it, this grief will feel frozen, confusing, and unclear, because they still have an address but no home. They are unable to move forward and part ways with was lost because the physical space is still there and people will likely continue to deal with the aftermath (e.g. insurances) long after, which prolongs the process of letting go and rebuilding.

Not everyone who faces a traumatic event becomes traumatized or develops PTSD. Similarly, not everyone facing a natural disaster will exhibit signs of trauma or develop PTSD. It’s also possible for someone to have pre-existing PTSD diagnosis and not be traumatized by future losses or natural disasters. Sometimes this can be attributed to post-traumatic growth and resilience, as well as different levels of intrinsic & extrinsic coping tools available for different situations (e.g. having a support system amid crisis versus navigating a crisis alone; individual disaster vs collective disaster).

Physical Trauma Responses:

  • Digestive discomfort and appetite changes
  • Insomnia and persistent fatigue
  • Rapid heartbeat or trembling

Emotional Trauma Responses:

  • Anxiety, helplessness, or sadness
  • Irritability or frequent anger outbursts
  • Struggles with trust or social withdrawal

Acute Stress Disorder vs. PTSD

  • Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms last 3 days to 1 month post-trauma.
  • PTSD: Symptoms persist for more than a month and significantly impair daily life.

Coping strategies and treatment for trauma after wildfires

Effective Strategies to Cope with Trauma after Wildfires:

Natural disasters impact entire communities, but they also highlight the power of resilience and connection. Recovery requires both emotional and practical steps.

1. Prioritize Your Needs:

  • Focus on the most pressing issues first.
  • Tackle problems in small, manageable steps.

2. Engage in Self-Care:

  • Practice physical exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.
  • Take breaks and engage in guilt-free activities that bring joy.

3. Seek Support:

  • Reach out to trusted friends, family, or counselors for advice and encouragement.

4. Challenge Negative Thinking:

  • Replace self-defeating thoughts with empowering affirmations.
  • Questions to ask yourself:
    • “Is it always true that I can’t do this?”
    • “Could I succeed with help?

5. Role of Community in Recovery:

  • Rebuilding Together: Collaborative efforts in clean-up and reconstruction boost morale.
  • Connection and Support: Sharing experiences with neighbors fosters a sense of belonging and hope.

Trauma-Informed Care at PCI Centers

At PCI Centers, we understand the profound psychological impact of wildfires, natural disasters, and upheaval from and loss of your home . Our services include:

  • Family Counseling: To help families navigate emotional challenges and rebuild bonds.
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy: Designed to address grief and PTSD symptoms effectively.
  • Community Resources: Connecting you with local support groups and recovery programs.

Recovery from the emotional and physical toll of wildfires takes time and effort. By addressing grief, seeking professional support, and building resilience through connection and self-care, you can move forward. Remember, you are not alone in this journey—help is available. If you’re in Calabasas, Malibu, or Agoura Hills, contact PCI today to speak with a care coordinator and begin your healing journey.

References

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

2. American Psychological Association. (2018, April 19). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://dictionary.apa.org/trigger

3. Heanoy, E. Z., & Brown, N. R. (2024). Impact of natural disasters on Mental Health: Evidence and implications. Healthcare, 12(18), 1812. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12181812

4. McFarlane A.C., Norris F.H. Definitions and concepts in disaster research. Methods Disaster Ment. Health Res. 2006;2006:3–19.

5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. (2024, October 10). Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters. Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/disaster-preparedness/coping-tips

6. Newman, S. (2024, December 5). Substance Use Disorders After Natural Disasters: Understanding the Impact and Support Options. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/substance-use-disorders-after-natural-disasters

7. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (n.d.-a). Common Reactions After Trauma. PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/isitptsd/common_reactions.asp

8. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (n.d.-b). Effects of Disasters: Resilience and Risk Factors. PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/disaster_risk_resilence.asp

9. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (n.d.-c). Self-care After Disasters. PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/disaster_selfcare.asp