CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A flash of lightning, the pinging of hail on windows, and howling winds can lead to anxiety and fear for some in eastern Iowa.
Dr. Christopher Okiishi, a psychiatrist at Meadowlark Psychiatric Services, remembers when he took shelter at his clinic during the 2020 Derecho.
“We were all working here in North Liberty when the derecho happened, we, like good Iowans, went out and watched when storms came in and when it proved to be unsafe we sheltered in the hallway.” Dr. Okiishi recalled.
Dr. Okiishi works with clients who are coping with anxiety from past storms.
“When a storm causes specific damage, causes a person to feel that their own life or others’ lives are in danger, it can trigger something called post traumatic stress disorder.” Dr. Okiishi explained.
He says preparing for storms is one way to tamper pre-storm dread.
“People can get a check list of things they would need in case of a storm. People can look at their house and find places where they would go, develop rituals on how to get to the places that are safe.” Dr. Okiishi advised.
There are several things meteorologists can do to help ease fears ahead of severe weather.
“Meteorologists are key in that they provide information and information is crucial in people being able to handle their anxiety, so accurate, appropriate, and keyed to the right level of concern.” Dr. Okiishi said.
Storms can also scare children, but helping them better understand the atmosphere can help them relax.
“Encouraging children if they have had anxiety provoking experiences with storms to talk about that, to draw pictures of that, um, to begin to monitor the weather around themselves and be able to see the entire range of weather.” Dr. Okiishi stated.
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