Question

Observe the image given below and answer the question that follow.

Predict any two possible psychological impact that natural disasters can have on the Himalayan community.

Answer 1

Possible psychological impact of natural disasters on the Himalayan community:

1. They can leave people poverty-stricken and render them homeless without any resources.
2. Such a sudden loss of all their belongings as well as their kith and kin can leave people shocked and stunned.
3. This may create a deep-seated psychological disorder. It can also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.
4. At the outset, it may cause disorientation.
5. It can also lead to certain physical reactions, such as bodily exhaustion even without physical activity, difficulty sleeping, a change in the eating pattern and so on.
6. It may also impact their emotional reactions, such as grief and fear, irritability, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, depression, sometimes absolute lack of emotion (numbness), guilt feelings for having survived while someone else in the family died, blaming oneself, and lack of interest in even routine activities.
7. It may cause Cognitive reactions such as worry, difficulty in concentration, reduced span of attention, confusion, loss of memory, or vivid memories that are unwanted (or nightmares of the event).
8. Social reactions, such as withdrawal from others, getting into conflict with others and feeling rejected or left out.
9. These reactions may last for a long time in some cases, throughout life.