Men go through a more implicit traumatic process

Noting that earthquakes, other natural disasters, and unexpected events can cause trauma to people, experts state that generally men tend to ignore the traumas they experience due to generally accepted gender roles in society. Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin noted that male individuals take care to look stronger and stay calmer, and said that this situation causes the person to suppress the trauma experienced. “Even though women seem to apply for support after a traumatic life, it is thought that men go through a more implicit traumatic process,” said Çekin.

Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin said that earthquake trauma can have different effects on men and women. Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin said that trauma is defined as “the set of events that threaten or result in death, develop unexpectedly-suddenly, and pose a threat to physical, social, spiritual and vital integrity”.

Trauma negatively affects the individual’s coping mechanisms

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who stated that trauma negatively affects the adaptive coping mechanisms of the individual, said that although there are all sub-fields of violence, especially sexual violence, physical injury or death, for example, witnessing the experience of another person directly or indirectly, He said that experiencing such as learning what happened to him is called a traumatic experience in the field of psychiatry.

Traumas cause different reactions

Stating that traumas can cause different reactions, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin said, “The fact that traumatic experiences, which adversely affect one’s psychological coping mechanisms, can lead to untimely realization and death are some of the main reasons for these negative effects. Traumas that cause such devastating consequences cause reactions of anxiety, withdrawal, fear, and avoidance. Many of the perceptions about trauma are that trauma creates more physical wounds. However, there are points where traumas differ from time to time according to gender, although they vary from person to person. he said.

Emotional problems can arise as a result of natural disasters

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who stated that natural disasters have been the basis of human fears since the day they existed, said, “The sudden and unpredictable nature of it can have great effects on people. Some individuals who are exposed to such a natural disaster may experience some emotional problems, even if there is no physical injury. Due to the fact that our country is an earthquake zone, various reactions occur in people after major earthquakes. Of course, these various reactions vary from person to person. In fact, the reactions that develop are completely normal and knowing what these reactions are helps us to get rid of the psychological effects of the event more quickly.” said.

Problems may arise as the process takes longer.

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who pointed out that although the earthquake itself seems to be a problem most of the time, actually creates fear in the individual, said, “In disasters that cause severe consequences such as earthquakes, individuals who take the process in its normal course within a few weeks get used to the new situation and continue their daily lives; For some people, prolonging this process can lead to Acute Stress Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” he said.

Men can suppress trauma

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who stated that in such cases, generally men tend to ignore the traumas they experience due to the generally accepted gender roles in the society, said, “While there is a trust area between the mother and the child, like a roof, the father figure tries to create a trust area that covers them all. targets. This continues in this way in terms of both gender roles and human nature. Therefore, male individuals take care to look stronger and stay calmer. This situation causes the person to suppress the trauma experienced. Although women seem to apply for support after a traumatic life, it is thought that men go through a more implicit traumatic process.” he said.

It is important to create a safe space in the first place

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin said that for individuals traumatized by the earthquake, it is very important to create a safe space and enable them to communicate with their relatives, especially for individuals who witnessed destruction, debris, loss of life or not hearing from their relatives in the first days.

No immediate therapy

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, emphasizing that it is wrong to initially think that people are being treated for therapy, said, “Because first of all, we need to ensure that these people feel safe and can meet their basic needs. It is more meaningful to share the feelings of unity and solidarity with earthquake victims.” said.

Memory is not erased in trauma therapies

Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who stated that this issue is still valid in traumatic experiences other than earthquakes, said, “So the priority is to create a safe space for the patient. Afterwards, it is necessary to plan interviews over the therapeutic relationship to understand their feelings. Trauma therapies should definitely not be thought of as erasing bad experiences from memory or making them forget. In trauma-focused therapies, emotional processing is supported so that the person has a more conscious approach to reality. If the traumatic life significantly impairs the functionality of the person despite all therapeutic processes, a referral to a psychiatrist should be made.” he said.