Source
r/joplinmo•
parundrum

Does anyone else get a little anxiety around this time of year?

I honestly hadn't really thought about until my Amazon Echo Show brought up "This day in pictures" from 2018. I had taken pics of the roofing, cleanup and other repairs. I live in Carl Junction and was directly impacted by that little tornado. Very minor compared to the monster that hit Joplin 10 years ago. But our house was in the path. Four trees right next to the house. 2 old oaks ripped in two like toothpicks and two oaks uprooted. They all fell in different directions missing the house completely. We were very lucky.

I've spent most of my life in the midwest and it never really bothered me at all. But after Joplin, then CJ, the skys get dark and I almost get mini panic attacks. Until I can turn it off or think about something else.

I'm not even trying to claim ptsd or anything like that. I just think I'm being a wuss about it and try to man up and my Dad ... and grandfather would say.

Posted May 26, 2021, 8:18 PM UTC

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flabden•

I completely understand. My wife worked in the Freeman ER that night. This time of year she stays off social media because of the flashbacks. She has PTSD from that night, and if it storms bad her anxiety goes up and sometimes goes into full panic attacks. You have PTSD. Flat out, there's no "man up" about it. PTSD changes the structure of your brain. Find a good therapist and work on yourself.

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parundrumOP•

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

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ArtemisDeLune•

I'm new to town, so haven't had the experiences that others have. Your feelings are absolutely valid and there is nothing unmanly about it. Tornadoes are a devastating and unpredictable force and it is wise to be on alert. Hugs to you, friend.

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parundrumOP•

I really appreciate it. I really hope you don't have to. Know the odds or minuscule, but it's still frightening. Just be sure you and your family... If you have one, have a plan. Best room to go etc.

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ArtemisDeLune•

Thank you. We do have a safe room and an early-warning app downloaded. Here's to hoping the rest of the season is quiet.

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Unsound1•

I feel ya. Gotta be on high alert this time of year. 10% chance of a tornado tomorrow evening according to the National Weather Service. Be safe!

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parundrumOP•

Ugh. At least it's only 10%.

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creativeusernameII•

It's been ten years, and it takes more for me to panic than it did the first few years. Sideways rain still gets me. Hail still gets me. Nothing to be ashamed about. It's a traumatic experience, being that close to destruction.

I dont know how anyone here could NOT feel anxiety. Everyone who was here was affected, or knew someone who was affected by the Joplin tornado.

I once said something to a friend of mine about being my being paranoid about tornados, as I have now been affected by two of them. He said, "It's not paranoia if they are actually after you." I still think of that, when I feel ridiculous for being nervous. It's not ridiculous, it's experience.

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parundrumOP•

Thank you

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Tamponsandy•

Also live in CJ; stay safe, friend. Worst case scenario, head to the high school!!

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parundrumOP•

Hey neighbor. I live closer to the CC. With enough warning, I could do the high school. You'd think the yahoos that run the place at the golf course would have installed a shelter. (no offense if you know anyone there). Maybe there are shelters there and I just don't know.

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sullivan80•

I don't experience what you are describing, but I do get very emotional thinking about the events of 5/22 or when I see photos or talk about it etc. Some of the things I saw that night and in the days following were truly mind blowing. It's hard for people who weren't here and didn't see it to really understand how large and catastrophic that event was. I often wonder how it's even possible that "only" 161 people died. Seeing the damage you would have thought 1,000 minimum.

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wee-dancer•

I grew up in Joplin. I moved 5 months after the Tornado hit. I had always feared them as a child (thanks Twister) Then I got older and that fear went away. Until May 22nd. I carry a lot more baggage around in my mind than I thought. Just this year's anniversary knocked lose a more visual memory of me trying to get to my mothers home to check on her.

So it can pop up at anytime, fun! Seriously though, I am looking more into more therapy for PTSD.

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lylli88•

I do somewhat. I think especially for me its because I bought a house that was in the area devastated by the tornado. I don't have a shelter and I have anxiety about hiding in a closet just because I saw how some closets didn't make it. It's a bit scary but I keep extra blankets and pillows and junk in there to hopefully help lol. Idk that it will... but it helps me feel better.

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melwin7777•

I saw a lot of closets that made it. It was the rest of the houses that didn't survive. My dad had a stack of baseball caps on the shelf in his living room closet and they were still in a neat stack after the storm passed. They had no roof, the bathtub and shower were missing, and everything else completely destroyed but those hats were fine. The neighbor down the street had no door on their closet anymore and the rest of the house was missing, but their clothes were still neatly hung in the closet. I have to keep telling myself that the interior closet will be a good place in case of a tornado. I should just break down and buy a shelter but I haven't done it yet.

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