Psychological and Social Recovery

Finally, recovery is not complete without psychological and social recovery. After a disaster, many people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Among other symptoms, people with disaster-related PTSD can relive the hazard event repeatedly, feel in danger constantly, have difficulty sleeping, and refuse to return to places associated with the disaster. Victims’ psychological well-being and social life can therefore be severely affected by PTSD. As a result, PTSD and other psychological conditions of victims must be addressed as part of recovery. Social recovery is critical, too. Loss of jobs can lead to migration away from a community, and deaths of key community figures can change social dynamics. Although there is little that responsible organizations can do to directly influence these outcomes, it is important to be aware of these impacts in recovery efforts. Cultural recovery efforts, such as the rebuilding of religious landmarks and institutions, also improve the overall recovery.