Mental health: Storm anxiety and PTSD are real
By Guest Columnist Josh Correro
Storm anxiety is a very real mental health issue. Individuals who suffer from storm anxiety often experience excessive worry and fear before and during storms. These feelings can cause one to have physical symptoms of tightness in chest, stomach issues, and shakiness. Individuals can even experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a serious storm event, such as a tornado or hurricane.
That being said, how can one reduce storm anxiety? One way is to be prepared, not scared. Prepare by keeping an eye on the latest weather forecasts, knowing where to go in the event of a severe thunderstorm or tornado, making a preparedness kit for evacuating during a hurricane and following instructions from local officials.
The safest place to be during a severe thunderstorm is in a sturdy building away from windows. Never be outdoors when lightning is occurring. During a Tornado Warning, be sure to have a plan of action beforehand, and know where you will go in the event a warning is issued for your
area. If you do not have a basement or storm shelter, go to the most interior room, such as a closet, hallway or bathroom, away from windows, and cover your head with pillows, a mattress or a bicycle helmet.
A NOAA Weather Radio is a great investment – it is loud enough to wake you up when a warning is issued; they cost approximately $30, can be ordered online and found in some stores. It is important to have multiple ways of receiving severe weather alerts, including weather apps on your phone, local TV and social media. Do not rely solely on one source.
Know the difference between a watch and a warning – a watch simply means be weather aware and be prepared, should a warning be issued for your area. A warning means take action.
If you are suffering from storm anxiety or PTSD from a traumatic storm event, talk therapy may be an option for you. We at Community Counseling Center have six trained counselors at master’s degree levels who are more than happy to help you work through anxiety and/or PTSD. 
Community Counseling Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our office is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.,
closed 12 p.m.to 1 p.m. for lunch. To schedule an appointment, call our office at 662- 332-1819, and someone from our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you. We accept various forms of insurance, have a sliding scale which is based off of one’s yearly income and can be as low as $30 per session to $140 per session, dependent on income. We also work with EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), which may be offered through your employer, and provide the client with limited counseling sessions at no cost to the client.
Community Counseling Center has two locations. We are located at 250 South Shelby Street in Greenville and at 103 South Court Street in Cleveland.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Josh Correro serves as a counselor and office administrator for the Community Counseling Center. He has also been
a weather forecaster since 2012.
