Recovering from Natural Disaster Trauma: Mental Health, PTSD, and Healing After the Storm

When natural disasters strike, the physical destruction is only part of the story—the emotional and psychological scars can last for years. In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest Tara Pyfrom shares her harrowing survival story of Hurricane Dorian and the long road of recovery that followed. From PTSD and depression to finding ways to rebuild hope through therapy, writing, and resilience, Tara offers a powerful look at what it means to heal after unimaginable trauma.

If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of a disaster, this conversation is a reminder that recovery is possible, even when the journey feels endless.

Link to Tara's website with information about her book: https://tarapyfrom.com/about-me

Primary Topics Covered:

• Risk factors for depression, PTSD, and trauma
• First-hand survival account of Hurricane Dorian
• The mental health impact of losing a home and community
• The slow process of recovery and therapy after trauma
• The role of writing, art, and creativity in healing
• Coping strategies for depression and PTSD symptoms
• How to measure progress when recovery feels stalled

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and podcast mission
 01:26 – Understanding depression risk factors and trauma triggers
 03:04 – Tara’s background and initial experience with Hurricane Dorian
 04:49 – When the storm hit: survival and impossible choices
 06:41 – Fear, panic, and making life-or-death decisions
 07:22 – Escaping to the attic and waiting for the storm to pass
 08:36 – The moment of survival and evacuation
 09:38 – The immediate mental health aftermath: PTSD and depression
 11:01 – Long-term struggles with hopelessness and therapy
 12:10 – Writing as therapy and the role of poetry in healing
 13:27 – Building a new home and creating hope through goals
 14:13 – Reflections on time, recovery, and measuring progress
 15:32 – Finding resilience through small steps forward
 16:35 – Living with trauma while reclaiming happiness
 17:17 – Clinical reflections on PTSD and natural disaster survivors
 19:07 – The importance of moving pain out of the body through expression
 20:17 – Tara’s ongoing healing and sharing her story in a book
 21:02 – The reality of long-term recovery from PTSD and depression
 21:46 – Closing thoughts: resilience, survival, and moving forward

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