Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Three months after

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  • Hebe,

    A call from a psych trauma specialist friend in the US this morning (just who we needed to hear from). He says that this is an unprecented natural disaster in that three have happened in a short time along with the 6800 or so aftershocks. The first we we all unprepared for; the second we were in training and could dust ourselves off and do it all again.

    This time he correctly surmised (in my case and from talking to others here) that many people will be feeling powerless and that picking up the pieces is futile and more will leave. It's apparently a recognised psychological stage called Repetitive Crisis something (I can't remember the last word but you get what I mean).

    The advice: keep safe physically and mentally (be wary of retaumatising yourself with too much media or whatever your favourite way is), and don't make any big decisions for a few weeks because they would be reactive rather than thought through.

    Hope this helps someone else; has worked a bit for me.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Should I start a new thread for this latest phase of the discussion? What do y'all think?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    ... you've got to respect a scientist being a scientist who's going to tell the truth rather than a comforting lie

    Quite.

    That's not opinion, that's science. And science is one cold hearted bitch with a 14 inch strap on!

    Vince Masuka, Dexter

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Hebe,

    This time he correctly surmised (in my case and from talking to others here) that many people will be feeling powerless and that picking up the pieces is futile and more will leave. It's apparently a recognised psychological stage called Repetitive Crisis something (I can't remember the last word but you get what I mean).

    Yeah, the utter weariness is palpable. Particularly as it's the same areas being worst hit, over and over. So again, our end of St John's St is fine, the south end is calf-deep in liquifaction. Our friends in New Brighton, their house looks just like it did on the 23rd of February, 18" of silt all through the yard. The idea of having to dig all that out again...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews, in reply to Lilith __,

    I was thinking last night that Chch is like an alcoholic spouse who keeps promising to go straight. I don’t want to give up on it, but I’m losing faith.

    Time for a cover version: "Christchurch I love you but you're bringing me down."

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Should I start a new thread for this latest phase of the discussion? What do y'all think?

    Well, it's more than "Three months after" now, just. "Square Two" sounds like the perfect title, so long as it's carefully attributed to Karl.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Martin Lindberg,

    That's not opinion, that's science. And science is one cold hearted bitch with a 14 inch strap on!

    Vince Masuka, Dexter

    Heh, loved the follow up to that: "He's Back!!" (Vince had been trying to avoid his Ranapian (h/t Sacha) turn of phrase, and then just gave up and owned it).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Lara,

    All fine here. I’m torn between the ‘I’m SO incredibly sick of this’ and the ‘well, better to be here than in the other island nation across the sea’.

    With each big one, I’ve found that that the little animal part of my brain – the rational ‘I’m ok, and I need to do this, this and this’ – gets less and less time on the airwaves while the Other Bit, which does the ‘Oh Gawd’, is getting harder to tune out. I had a nice long bike ride home from Lincoln uni to help dissipate the adrenaline yesterday, and to try and bring ‘rational brain’ back online. I’m not quite there yet – woke up swearing to the 4.7 this morning. But will get there in time.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2009 • 82 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Yes please do. Wish I could think of something clever and sub-editorial to call it. By the way, does anyone know how Sally and Ian Dalziel are?

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __, in reply to BenWilson,

    People don’t want to hear about hardship, particularly when they can’t help.

    Yes, I get the sense that some people outside Chch have got to the socially-uncomfortable stage. And I totally get that you folk wish you could help. Knowing you care means a lot.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

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