by Kimberly Read
For almost a week now, most of the eastern seaboard of the United States has been anxiously watching Hurricane Isabel wondering when it would turn north, wondering if their coast would be the target, wondering when and if to start emergency preparations. As a long-time resident of Florida and having weathered through the disaster that was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, I decided several days ago to be ready just in case. The American Red Cross points out that, “How well you prepare and how much you practice before a disaster occurs will determine how successfully you deal with and recover from disasters.” Following is a list of things to consider in preparing an emergency plan for those who have bipolar disorder (as well as other psychiatric disorders and medical disabilities).
- First and foremost, stay informed. Do you live in an area that will have mandatory evacuations? Are you in a flood zone? Have any alerts, watches or warnings been issued for your area?
- Plan your evacuation route in advance. CNN suggests that you “have multiple escape routes and know the proper government evacuation route.”
- Plan where you will go if evacuated. CNN recommends you choose several places – the home of a family member or friend who lives in another town, a shelter, or even a motel. Dutchess, a member of this community, who has previously had to navigate through an evacuation, suggests that you make motels a last resort. Many people will be evacuating and an available room may be difficult to find.
- Prepare an emergency contact list. This list should include the names, addresses and phone numbers of family and friends who are familiar with your condition. Be sure to include at least one contact that lives more than a 100 miles away from you and thus, probably out of the disaster area (American Red Cross). Send your contact list and your medical information list to all contacts. You will also want to keep a copy with you at all times.
- Prepare a medical information list. The American Red Cross recommends you include the following information: “the names of medications you take and their dosages, when you take a medication, the condition for which you take a medication, the name of the doctor who prescribed it, and the doctor's phone number.” You should also list any allergies or sensitivities you may have. Send your contact list and your medical information list to all contacts. You will also want to keep a copy with you at all times.
- Be sure to have at least a two-week supply of your medications on hand. Your doctor can work with you to secure insurance approval if needed.
- Be sure to plan for your pets so you will not have to worry about them. Keep in mind that emergency shelters do not allow pets. The American Humane Society offers some excellent suggestions for making these arrangements.
- Prepare enough supplies to last at least three days (a week is even better). The American Red Cross actually recommends that you prepare several supply kits. Click here for a list of these kits and the supplies for each. KTeach, also a member of this site, recommends you include items that are particularly comforting to you - special foods, a soft blanket, photos of loved-ones, etc.
- Prepare yourself for the types of reactions you may experience during an emergency. Prepare.org points out that “there are a number of emotional reactions that may occur or become more severe after a disaster. These include confusion, memory and thought processing difficulties, agitation, paranoia, crying, fear, panic, sleep disturbance, pacing, shouting, depression, withdrawal, irritability, anxiety and shaking. Anticipate the types of reactions you may have and plan strategies for coping with them.”
