After experiencing a disaster and while facing its aftermath, it is common for people to experience Disaster Fog. This is a form of cognitive impairment, sometimes referred to a “brain fog”, that can leave people feeling easily overwhelmed, forgetful, and even irritable. Disaster Fog can start at any point in a person’s disaster recovery journey and will vary in severity and duration from person to person.
Some signs of Disaster Fog include having trouble with:
- Concentrating and paying attention
- Remembering names, dates, and everyday things
- Finding the right word or doing everyday math
- Doing more than one thing at a time
- Mood swings
“Most of us think of anxiety in terms of the familiar symptoms of worry, racing thoughts, overthinking, fear, and restlessness. Brain fog, by comparison, is associated with seemingly opposite symptoms: a slowing down of thinking and processing, a sensation of ‘not being sharp,’ and a sense of being ‘off’ while not being able to correct it.”
Alicia H. Clark, PsyD
Disaster Fog IS NOT:
- a sign of weakness
- a comment on one’s intelligence
- a reflection of one’s ability to provide for their family
Disaster Fog IS:
- NORMAL
- TEMPORARY
- FIXABLE
There are lots of simple strategies that can help with the frustration and confusion of Disaster Fog.
Try these tips:
- Carry a daily to-do list with reminders.
- Don’t multitask. Do one thing at a time so you’re not distracted.
- Allow more time than you usually take to accomplish tasks.
- Divide tasks into smaller increments and adjust your goals.
- Above all, be patient with yourself.
“I thought I was going crazy. I have a college degree and a good job, but I haven’t been able to understand all of the details and requirements of my insurance, and FEMA, and what the town wants from me. I couldn’t remember deadlines at work or for my repair projects. It felt like everything was falling apart. Once I heard about Disaster Fog I immediately knew that this was what I was going through. It really helped to understand that this was a common reaction and that I didn’t have to deal with it alone. My DCM at Compass 82 really helped me to get organized and to prioritize what needed to get done.”
Jason G., Big Pine Key, FL
Please visit our Compass 82 Tipsheets page to read and download our Preparing For a Major Storm and After The Flood Tipsheets.