And if you are there when the house fire occurs, you could also experience physical effects from inhaling smoke. Not only does house fires impact one’s health but also presents the complicated and often emotionally draining task of selling a fire-damaged house. In such scenario, immense emotional stress can be overwhelming.

Let’s take a closer look at how to recover from the emotional and physical effects of a house fire.

Typical Emotional Reactions Following a House Fire

There isn’t a universal emotional guidebook for those who have survived a house fire. Some of the typical emotional responses you might encounter are listed below.

• Shock
• Disbelief
• Anger
• Fear
• Despair
• Hopelessness

What About PTSD?

Yes, PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, can be caused by a house fire. Common PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares, a feeling of alienation and dislocation from the outside world, as well as frequent irritability and guilt, can all be experienced after a house fire.

The symptoms can be minor and infrequent or severe enough to interfere with daily life.

How to Get Over a House Fire’s Emotional Trauma

#1 Get your emotions out

Give yourself time to experience anger. Speak with loved ones who are eager to encourage you as you let go of unpleasant feelings.

Put on a brave face, but don’t keep things within, especially if you have upset kids who also need help.

#2 Engage in family and friend time

Your friends and family will be prepared to help you. Take advantage of their supportive advice and emotional support. Isolation will only make bad feelings worse.

#3 Practice self-care

It’s simple to forget self-care under trauma. Eat healthy, make an attempt to relax and get a good night’s sleep, and take care of yourself by trying to maintain your regular daily routines.

More things you can do

Use tried-and-true stress-reduction methods, such as deep breathing, frequent exercise, and meditation and allow yourself to experience negative emotions, cry, and do so in a healthy way.

Also, try to allow yourself to enjoy your feelings. Even when dealing with loss, there may be times when you feel delight and this is completely normal and healthy. If feasible, delaying important life decisions, including changing employment.

Reduce the things you believe you “should be doing” as those kinds of sentences and commands will only add on more stress. It is important that during these times you go through the day at your own speed and according to your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

It’s beneficial to socialize occasionally when recovering and despite your loss, concentrate on your blessings. Additionally, avoid mood-altering substances like alcohol and other narcotics and maintain your biorhythm by having a regular sleep/wake cycle and getting lots of rest when it’s possible. Finally, it is wise to nourish your body by consuming balanced meals.

What can young people do?

According to research, children and teenagers may react to a fire in a number of ways, such as by becoming anxious, having nightmares, or having sleep problems.

The way a child’s parents and other adults handle crises has a significant impact on their capacity to cope.

Children often look to adults for guidance, support, and information. This is why it is important to strive towards effectively managing stress and difficulties, so that you can serve as a positive role model for your kids.

You are probably their main source of safety right now. Be receptive to kids sharing their ideas, worries, and opinions.

Encourage them to resume their regular schedules, which should include playtime. Take caution not to express your anxieties and fears to your children.

What about physical recovery?

Inhaling hot air, smoke, or chemical vapors can irritate or inflame your airways and wheezing and breathing issues can be brought on by being in or close to a fire.

These issues may not become apparent for several hours after a fire. Smoke and other irritants from a fire can poison your body, too. This becomes even more probable if the fire burned synthetic or plastic items.

If you inhale a lot of smoke during a fire, you will most likely undergo a blood test and other examinations to see how well your lungs are now functioning.

A blood gas test may also be performed on you to determine the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and acid in your blood. To help you breathe better, your doctor may also administer oxygen through a mask.

While you heal, you can have pain, breathlessness, and a cough. You might cough up gray or black mucus if you breathed in soot.

A crucial component of your treatment and security is follow-up care.

Be careful to schedule and keep all appointments, and if you experience any difficulties, call your doctor or nurse advice line. Knowing the results of your tests and keeping track of the medications you take are also wise decisions.

What self-care techniques can you use at home?

Rest and sleep as much as you can. Although you might initially feel weak and exhausted, your energy level will eventually increase. Use pillows to support your head so you can breathe easier and suppress a cough.

To relieve a dry or painful throat, suck on cough drops or hard candy. Remember, cough pills don’t make coughs go away and if your doctor instructs you to, take a cough medicine.

Avoid smoking and don’t let anyone else smoke near you. Consult your doctor about medications and stop-smoking programs if you need assistance quitting. These may improve your chances of successfully quitting. Basically, steer clear of anything that can irritate your lungs. This could be hot, humid air or cold, dry air.

Follow the directions on any antibiotics your doctor may have prescribed. If you start to feel better, don’t stop taking them. The entire antibiotic course must be taken.

Take your medications as directed. If you believe there may be a problem with your medication, contact your doctor or nurse advice line. On the exact medications that your doctor recommends, you will receive more information.

Want to sell your fire-damaged house?

We Buy Fire Damaged Houses buys burned homes in as-is condition and pays all cash.

To see if your home qualifies for a free quote fill out the form below. Selling your fire-damaged house can be a great way to avoid a long repair process and move on with the rest of your life.

Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash