SELF CARE
This is a work in progress. Folks interested in this area might want to take a look at the work of Norcross and others. More to come
Belief: Katrina is the cause of all my problems
Truth: Many of the post-K issues have their roots in our pre- storm condition. Pre-existing marital problems got worse; financial problems got worse. Kids’ behavior which was problematic before got worse; regression, strange places, many caretakers, close quarters.
Belief: If I can just forget about Katrina and its aftermath, I can move on with my life.
Truth: There are a daily reminders of Katrina and its aftermath, so its reminders are hard to avoid.
That said, denial can be your best friend between 8:30 and 5
My whole life is going to be different now, I've learned my lesson. Nothing should bother me compared to Katrina.
Time heals all wounds
My trauma wasn’t as bad as yours, so I should be feeling so badly
I must have been bad or somehow deserved what happened to me
It's really a blessing, you know.
This happened for a reason.
I'm being punished because I did (or didn't do) X. Or, New Orleans was being punished because X...
I could have prevented "X" if I had only....
It was my fault, really. The next time, I'll do "this" and nothing bad will happen.
It wasn't that bad because: I still have my health, car, house, job, family
I shouldn't feel "X" because other people have it worse.
If I feel "X", it means I don't have enough faith or I'm being ungrateful.
I shouldn't let my kids/spouse know that I feel "X".
It didn't really effect me. Those people over in "X" - they really had it bad.
They should have known better than to live near the levees.
Belief: Katrina is the cause of all my problems
Truth: Many of the post-K issues have their roots in our pre- storm condition. Pre-existing marital problems got worse; financial problems got worse. Kids’ behavior which was problematic before got worse; regression, strange places, many caretakers, close quarters.
Belief: If I can just forget about Katrina and its aftermath, I can move on with my life.
Truth: There are a daily reminders of Katrina and its aftermath, so its reminders are hard to avoid.
That said, denial can be your best friend between 8:30 and 5
My whole life is going to be different now, I've learned my lesson. Nothing should bother me compared to Katrina.
Time heals all wounds
My trauma wasn’t as bad as yours, so I should be feeling so badly
I must have been bad or somehow deserved what happened to me
It's really a blessing, you know.
This happened for a reason.
I'm being punished because I did (or didn't do) X. Or, New Orleans was being punished because X...
I could have prevented "X" if I had only....
It was my fault, really. The next time, I'll do "this" and nothing bad will happen.
It wasn't that bad because: I still have my health, car, house, job, family
I shouldn't feel "X" because other people have it worse.
If I feel "X", it means I don't have enough faith or I'm being ungrateful.
I shouldn't let my kids/spouse know that I feel "X".
It didn't really effect me. Those people over in "X" - they really had it bad.
They should have known better than to live near the levees.