Stress Center Peer Support

I live on Southern Cali and I was at work while this huge earth quake hit. It was a 5.8 and lasted so long. I was squeezing my manager and had a panic attack. I am now "what ifing" about the next earthquake and how big it'll be and if me or my loved ones will die from it. . . I am so scared about the aftershock and I am on my lunch break and all i wanna do is stay home. The first ten min i couldnt call people cause the phones went down.I was ringing up a customer and thats when it hit and i forgot to give her change. I am so not good in a crisis. . and here is the sad thing. My co workers were making fun of me while i was panicking and even teased me saying oh i can feel another one HAHAHA . I cannot believe these dumb people being so mean. . i don't even care how i am acting in front of people. . Did anyone else from souther cali feel the earthquake. worst and longest earthquake ever!!

Holly I'm not from Cali and I've never experienced an earthquake, but if I were in your shoes I would have panicked also. I cant believe you co-workers were making fun of you. That is not very nice, and would make me very upset also. But you did make it thru Holly and I am so proud of you!! And to me i think you handled the situation as best as u could.

That would freak me out too. I think your reaction is a normal one, but dont dwell on it, realize it happend, and yes it scared you, but dont let it start the vicious cycle of irrational thinking.

I hope you never have to experience one again, but if you do, realize you can make it through it just like you did with this one. Dont fear the unknown.

Yes I felt it. I knew what it was right away (after I realized I wasn't having a stroke due to the dizziness you get when you lose your equilibrium). I'm fairly far from the epicenter but all the fault lines run parallel to where I live so we always feel them. Gee Holly that really wasn't very nice of your co workers to make fun of you. Wasn't as bad as the Northridge quake though, thank God. Hang in there Holly.

Holly,
I get occasional emails from an ACT therapy I am in- very little support compared to this group. But a lady just wrote in about the quake and actually found some positive that I thought you might find comfort in. She said "Anyway, just couldn't help feeling a little more part of the world today, as you all know, suffering from anxiety can be extremely isolating."
So many others suffered at that moment that she didn't feel alone. What you all felt was a natural reaction. Those coworkers of yours acted UNNATURALLY. You pull together in times of crisis. You have to just accept that there are mean and uncaring people out there. Let what they say be like water off a duck's back. Don't let it hurt you. Think about the tons of OTHER people out there who had the same reaction as you. This lady I quoted earlier said her boss ran out and wasn't coming back! THAT is more normal than making fun of people.
I haven't been through a quake but went through Hurricane Katrina and others that last all day. The good news is that if you hang in there, it will pass. It's all temporary and then it's gone. If another comes your way, face it then, not now. Think about the anticipatory anxiety the program has us deal with. It's not real- we make it an issue.
Feel good that you made it through and know that you are never alone. Know what to do in the event of another and be prepared. That's the best you can do!

I live in Southern California, but I was sleeping and didn't feel it, however I have been waiting for the after shocks!!! Don't listen to those people at work. Just thank goodness your safe and your family is safe.

I live about 25 miles from the epicenter of this morning's quake, which has been downgraded to a 5.4. I used to freak about earthquakes, too, until I realized that no place is truly safe. Pick your poison! Would you rather live in a place where you must deal with tornadoes? Those scare the living daylights out of me! Hurricanes? YIKES! The main thing is to keep your wits about you and stop dreading the aftershocks, which are a natural consequence of the earthquake itself. I have heard that we have already had more than 20 aftershocks since the initial quake this morning. How many did you feel? Not many, if any, I would bet.
Southern Californians, calm down! No where on the planet are the buildings built more to code, or are the populace more earthquake savvy than right here. We know what to do to stay safe when the time comes, and we will do it.
As frightening as this earthquake was, it was still not nearly as bad as the Whittier Narrows quake or the Northridge quake. If other people tease or make fun of you, Holly, it is only because they are plenty scared themselves, and are using you to deflect their own fears. Don't worry about future large quakes, honey---just take one day at a time. The "Big One" may never even happen in our lifetimes.

Im sorry that you had to go through this today, natural disasters are terrible. I went through hurricane Wilma and was a mess for days after from the distruction. I dont know which is worse, an earthquake and not knowing when or the hurricanes when the news channels start days before with warnings and lists and lists of stuff to prepare. definite anxiety. Your coworkers were not nice at all. Hugs Nicki

Holly,

I have never experienced a earthquake, thank god, but I can only imagine how scary it is. I was just on aol and it was saying people were running from buildings due to the quake. You were one the strong ones who stayed and went through it. Someone was quoted as saying "that was one of the worst ones yet" so you def. have real and justified feelings. Your co-workers probably thought they were being funny but they were just ignorant.

Yes my city is VERY close to the epicenter so I felt it BIG TIME! I felt a couple aftershocks. Yes my co-workers are so dumb and I really didn't care, actually. . But they were making fun. . I don't know what i would have done if my manager wasn't there because I was holding on to her big time. She was the only nice one. The poor customers were frightened too. All I was thinking of was my Boyfriend , family and cats while it was happening. And than not being able to call anyone for ten min was scary too. I think in a few days my what if's will go away.. . I have a therapist app tomorrow and I am so happy for that!!!