Flooding May Be Linked to Mental Illness

by Anonymous 6

 

Recent studies from scientists suggest that warming trends in climate could lead to mental illness.

 

It is no news to hear that there has been a recent trend in global warming over the years. This sudden increase in warm temperatures has given some major concerns to scientists. Global warming could lead to many devastating natural disasters, including major floods.

 

As the temperature heats up, the ocean temperatures become warmer, and the water expands. A rise in temperature has also caused glaciers to melt. NASA research reveals, “thermal expansion of the oceans and mountain glacier melting are the greatest contributors to present sea level rise” (Hansen). According to NASA, continued global climate change could cause serious flooding. This could provide to be a serious threat for Americans, knowing that about 53% of the United States population lives near the coast.

 

With the recent occurrences of hurricane Katrina and the cyclone in Bangladesh, flooding is a topic of concern on many people’s minds today. What you may not realize, however, is that flooding may have the potential to cause both physical and mental harm to a person.

 

Recent studies by scientists in the IPCC Working Group II report suggest that flooding may lead to mental illness. In an article called “Revisiting the Tsunami: Health Consequences of Flooding,” scientists review the many health impacts that floods have shown to cause people in the past, including mental health problems. In this article, the scientists list the many mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleeplessness. The article also explains that behavioral change in children has also been observed.

 

In one such study, children were examined both before and after a flood disaster in Bangladesh. The results were revealing.

 

In March of 1998, Maureen S. Durkin and a team of  psychologists and doctors traveled to Dhamrai (an agricultural community North of Dhaka) to complete a population-based study of neurodevelopmental disabilities in 2,667 two to nine-year old children. From these children, only 434 children were referred back for a standard clinical evaluation, and 64 were judged to have disabilities.

 

In September of 1998, the most severe flood disaster ever to have been reported to this country occurred. Three quarters of the land was submerged under water, leaving millions homeless, and killing more than 2000 people. Five months later, a representative was asked to go back to Dhamrai to reevaluate the children from the study.

 

A random sample of 140 children and all 64 children with disabilities were selected for reevaluation. Two children of those children (1 of whom had a disability) died after the flood, and 40 children could not be traced. In February of 1989 162 children (49 disabled and 113 not) were reevaluated.

 

Before the flood, none of the children were reported to be very aggressive and only one was extremely shy.  After the flood, 16 more children were reported to be aggressive, occurring in children regardless of disability or gender. Many of the children also developed problems with sphincter control, which has long been considered a marker for anxiety.

 

The link between flooding and mental illness has only been recently developed. As of now, scientists do not have enough evidence to conclude whether or not flooding can directly cause mental health problems. However, Durkin’s evidence was clear.

 

It may be only a matter of time before mass flooding becomes a disaster affecting many people around the world, including the United States.  California is predicted to bring potential flooding due to an increase in streamflow from increased warming over the next century (“Climate Change may bring more winter floods”). All coastal areas, including New York City, are predicted to be in serious danger for flooding as the climate warms. Addressing the consequences and planning for the future will help to avoid these risks of mental and physical problems caused by natural disasters.

 

In the article “Revisiting the Tsunami: Health Consequences of Flooding,” scientists suggest preparing for floods by allowing early warning time for community evacuation, providing cyclone and flood shelters, building proper health facilities, and raising awareness to disaster risk and response plans. Being prepared for a flood could save a lot of lives. In addition to this, it is also important that everyone try to do his or her part to help keep the environment clean. We do not yet know for sure if the recent global warming has any direct relation to our wasteful society; however, as a matter of caution we should keep it in our minds. It is each person’s responsibility to protect his body and his mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

“Climate Change May Bring More Winter Floods.” Top Story. 17 Jan.- Feb 2002. 1 Nov.

            2007.

            <http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/2002011Califclimate.html>

Durkin, M.S., Khan, LL., Davidson, S.S. Zaman and Z.A. Stein, 1993: The effects of a

            Natural Disaster on Child Behavior: Evidence for Posttraumatic Stress. Am. J.

            Public Health, 83, 1549-1553.

Hansen, James E., comp. “Climate Impacts in New York City: Sea Level Rise and

            Coastal Floods.” NASA. 15. Dec. 2004. Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

            1 Nov. 2007.

            <http://icp.giss.nasa.gov/research/ppa/2002/impacts/introduction.html>

Morgan O.,  Ahern M., Carircross S., (2005): Revisiting the Tsunami: Health

            Consequences of Flooding. PubMed Central. 28 Jun. 2005. Plos Medicine.

            1 Nov. 2007.

            <http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1160588>