PTSD Causes PTSD and the Psychological Effects of Hurricane Katrina Natural Disasters and PTSD By Matthew Tull, PhD Matthew Tull, PhD Twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 08, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Akeem Marsh, MD Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD LinkedIn Twitter Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print ParkerDeen / Getty Images Near the end of August 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. The aftermath of this event led many to examine whether there is a relationship between the disaster and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). All across the United States, people watched as the citizens of the Gulf Coast attempted to cope with this natural disaster. Hurricane Katrina caused a tremendous amount of physical damage. Entire communities were destroyed. However, we are just beginning to truly understand the psychological impact of this hurricane. Hurricane Katrina is notable not only because it was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, but also because of the perception that people were abandoned by the government. The issues with federal aid and intervention created additional layers to this traumatic experience. The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Mental Health Researchers at the University of New Orleans, the University of Southern Mississippi, Stanford University, and Arizona State University surveyed 386 people who lived in areas that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. They asked them a number of questions about how the hurricane affected them. What they found is alarming. Many people impacted by Hurricane Katrina experienced stressful and traumatic events during and as a result of the hurricane. In fact, people said they experienced, on average, about 2 traumatic events during the course of the storm. Many also said that they had the following experiences: Being separated from their children, friends, neighbors, and relativesHaving their home damaged or destroyedSeeing others who were hurt, sick, or had diedGetting hurt or sickSeeing crime or violence In addition, over 50% of people surveyed also reported that they had the following symptoms of PTSD and general distress: Upsetting memories and thoughts about the hurricaneFeeling upset after being reminded of the hurricaneTrying to avoid thoughts, feelings, and conversations about the eventIncreased irritability and angerWorries that the event could happen againFeeling on edge and tense Finally, they found that residents of Mississippi who were affected by the hurricane had a greater number of PTSD symptoms as compared to people in New Orleans; however, people in Mississippi also were found to have more social support than people in New Orleans. Long-Term Effects In addition to the immediate aftermath of the disaster, researchers have also examined the long-term impact of Hurricane Katrina on mental health. According to one follow-up study, while PTSD rates gradually declined in the years following Hurricane Katrina, one in six still experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress 12 years following the event. One review published in a 2021 issue of the Journal of International Psychology concluded that lack of community support and economic resources played a role in prolonging the trauma and slowing recovery from the disaster. Another study found that survivors of Hurricane Katrina had more depressive and PTSD symptoms in addition to demonstrating poorer performance on mental flexibility, cognitive processing, and sustained attention tasks. The researchers suggest that even individuals who did not exhibit major post-traumatic symptoms were still affected by cognitive changes that make post-disaster recovery more difficult. Getting Help It is clear that Hurricane Katrina had a major social and psychological impact on people in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. If you have been affected by Hurricane Katrina or any other natural disaster, there is help available. The National Center for PTSD provides a number of fact sheets on the effects of natural disasters and how to cope with them. They also provide links for people interested in sending help or for those who need help, such as finding loved ones or receiving support. It is also important to seek professional help if you are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Consider talking to your doctor or mental health professional. If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Is There a Cure for PTSD? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Raker EJ, Lowe SR, Arcaya MC, Johnson ST, Rhodes J, Waters MC. Twelve years later: The long-term mental health consequences of Hurricane Katrina. Soc Sci Med. 2019;242:112610. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112610 Osofsky JD, Osofsky HJ. Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill: Lessons learned about short-term and long-term effects. Int J Psychol. 2021;56(1):56-63. doi:10.1002/ijop.12729 Walling E, Tucker P, Pfefferbaum B, Nguyen C, Mistry A. Neuropsychological outcomes of exposure to Hurricane Katrina and relocation. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020;14(1):89-92. doi:10.1017/dmp.2019.110 Additional Reading Weems, C.F., Watts, S.E., Marsee, M.A., Taylor, L.K., Costa, N.M., Cannon, M.F., Carrion, V.G., & Pina, A.A. (2007). The Psychosocial Impact of Hurricane Katrina: Contextual Differences in Psychological Symptoms, Social Support, and Discrimination. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45, 2295-2306. Speak to a Therapist for PTSD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.