The Function of Avoidance in Improving the Understanding of Disaster Recovery

Abstract

Functional avoidance as an intermittent coping mechanism is a necessary component in disaster recovery. By temporarily avoiding losses after disaster, survivors can secure basic needs and begin rebuilding. It is not until recovery projects are completed that mental health outcomes become apparent. Many individuals begin a healthy grieving process; however, for others, where avoidance extends past the completion of normalizing tasks it becomes pathological. This study presents the concept of functional avoidance and investigates the point at which it becomes dysfunctional using case examples and data from a mental health clinic. Findings suggest increased emotional distress, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder over 3 years after Hurricane Katrina.

KEYWORDS:

• Disaster
• hurricane recovery
• mental health symptoms

Notes

This research was made possible through the partnership of the St. Bernard Project and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry. The authors wish to thank Joycelyn Heintz, Liz McCartney, Jose Calderon, MD, and Charles Coleman, MD, for their contributions to the design and implementation of the Center for Wellness and Mental Health.