Severe Storms Causing Severe Anxiety?
If you have lived in the midwest for any point of time, you will know that severe, unpredictable storms become a regular part of the summer season. In the time of technological advances, with weather alerts, radars, and internet meteorologists, access to potentially stressful information has become even easier.
For example, in the last few weeks multiple counties experienced multiple tornadoes, thunderstorms, wind damage, and flooding. The ability to see this happening in real time on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly twitter), and television, it can be difficult to ignore! Trying to balance staying informed to stay safe, but also keep your nerves intact can be a difficult balance for the community.
The fear of being impacted or having your loved ones impacted by storms can lead to what feels like chronic anxiety is taking over your thoughts anytime overcast in the forecast. Social media continues to write summaries, articles, re-sharing of videos and coverage can feel like even though the storms are over, we are still in the vortex of a tornado with our thoughts swirling all around! Sirens or “storm alarms” normally also follow these weather patterns and hearing an alarm is… well very alarming to people since it normally suggests something is “wrong” around you. Helping yourself feel prepared for what is to come, how to manage your anxiety symptoms, and how to normalize these feelings are important parts of feeling like you can tackle this anxiety!
Common Reasons for Storm Anxiety
Loss of control
When storms happen, there is a feeling of a loss of control as we wait to see if the storms will come into our area
Sirens
Sirens tell us to act RIGHT NOW which can lead to an intense sense of urgency where we feel like we need to act immediately (ie fire alarms, weather alerts, hospital alarms ect). Similar to that “fight or flight” feeling we get in emergency situations
Past trauma
If we have negative experiences with storms and remember that it was triggered by a storm alarm, heavy wind, or bad storms, our brain can assume it will happen again and a simple heavy rain storm can cause us to remember those stressful events like they are happening again right now
Symptoms of Weather Anxiety
Common Physical Symptoms:
Sweating
Fast heart rate
Chest tightness
Feeling dizzy or light headed
Common Psychological Symptoms:
Anger or irritability
Insomnia
Panic attacks
Intense feeling of needing to run away or hide
How to Feel Prepared for Storm Season
Stay informed from reputable sources (ie local news stations, National Weather service)
Create a safety plan (where to evacuate if needed, where to go if sirens go off)
Grounding techniques such as deep breathing, listening to music, or another enjoyable distracting behavior such as playing games, watching a movie, or reading a book
Reminding yourself that there is only some much that can be controlled
Focusing on safety planning, having proper supplies, and having your phone charged are all examples of things within your control
Be open about your feelings!
Storm anxiety is a very real feeling and being open with your loved ones can help you talk out these feelings
How to Get Started
Download an app for your local weather station or National weather service to receive alerts for your area
Create a “storm readiness kit” https://www.ready.gov/kit
Create a “mental health kit” with your favorite hobbies, coping skills, favorite snacks ect to have ready in case bad weather arrives
Have a list of support people to call if you live alone or can call if needed
If you need help learning how to deal with storm anxiety or any other issues, please call us at 217-203-2008
References
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/hurricane-season-here-how-reduce-your-anxiety
https://www.verywellmind.com/fear-thunder-lighting-2671846
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