VOA标准英语2010年-Psychiatrists Predict Haitians Face Lo

As Haiti tries to recover from the disaster, one of the greatest challenges will be rebuilding infrastructure¹ that includes good sanitation², clean water, and meals for the displaced. But the mental health of thousands of Haitians will be an issue long after international aid workers have left the country.  Psychiatrists³ say it could be months before victims and their families feel the full effect of the earthquake, and that, they say, is when their work really begins.

It was a horrific disaster. Psychiatrists say people who react with shock, grief, and even anger, are responding normally to an abnormal event. 

But later on, other equally strong emotions could surface, including the loss of a sense of structure, one of the most important things in a person's life.

If people lose that structure, without knowing what's coming next, it can be devastating⁴, says Dr. Lorenzo Norris of George Washington University Hospital.
"Your mind will not really come to rest unless you have a secure environment. You know where your next meal is coming from, and you feel safe or someone is accounting⁵ for you."

Dr. Norris believes most Haitians will eventually recover from the trauma⁶.  But some will need treatment.  An estimated eight to 10 percent of the population is likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder⁷ (PTSD), brought on by exposure to a terrifying event such as the earthquake.

Those most vulnerable have often experienced previous psychiatric illness or suffered overwhelming loss.  They are most likely to suffer from PTSD, or what's called Major Depressive Disorder. 

Dr. Norris says families and friends should watch out for symptoms of withdrawal⁸, nightmares and flashbacks, which are memories of the tragic⁹ event. "Someone not moving forward and not being able to adapt, despite their sincere efforts to do so," he explained.

First responders are also likely to need mental health counseling. They are the rescue workers, police, doctors, nurses, even the journalists who tell the story to the world. 

"It is those folks who are on the front line, the people that go there first, the folks that are digging through the rubble¹⁰, that are finding the children.  We as psychiatrists have a vested interest in making sure that their psychological health is really taken into account," Dr. Norris said.

Medication to relieve anxiety and pain, or to provide sleep can help human beings survive and acclimate¹¹.  But mental health experts say recovery begins with recognition of the human resilience that provides hope of a better future.

 

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

3 psychiatrists   

n.精神病专家，精神病医生( psychiatrist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They are psychiatrists in good standing. 他们是合格的精神病医生。 来自辞典例句
• Some psychiatrists have patients who grow almost alarmed at how congenial they suddenly feel. 有些精神分析学家发现，他们的某些病人在突然感到惬意的时候几乎会兴奋起来。 来自名作英译部分

4 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

5 accounting   

n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表

参考例句：

• A job fell vacant in the accounting department.财会部出现了一个空缺。
• There's an accounting error in this entry.这笔账目里有差错。

6 trauma   

n.外伤，精神创伤

参考例句：

• Counselling is helping him work through this trauma.心理辅导正帮助他面对痛苦。
• The phobia may have its root in a childhood trauma.恐惧症可能源于童年时期的创伤。

7 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

8 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

9 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

10 rubble   

n.（一堆）碎石，瓦砾

参考例句：

• After the earthquake,it took months to clean up the rubble.地震后，花了数月才清理完瓦砾。
• After the war many cities were full of rubble.战后许多城市到处可见颓垣残壁。

11 acclimate   

v.使服水土，使习惯于新环境

参考例句：

• I help them acclimate to living in the U.S.我帮助他们适应在美国的生活。
• How much time does she need to acclimate?她需要多少时间才能适应？