Not only did hurricanes Gustav and Ike bring high winds and water to St. Tammany Parish earlier this month, they also stirred up anxiety and panic memories from Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Marvin Clifford, a licensed clinical social worker with the Ocshner Medical Center, has spent the past three years dealing with the impact Katrina had on people’s mental health on both sides of Lake Pontchartrain. He shuttles between Jefferson Parish and Ochsner clinics on the Northshore. He sees the same stress and anxiety levels cropping up in residents after Gustav and Ike.

“There was a dramatic increase in stress, anxiety and other symptoms after Gustav and Ike,” Clifford said. After Katrina, Clifford was dealing with clients who suffered from anxiety, panic disorders, depression and substance abuse. The above symptoms are all signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, but Clifford cautioned that a person who displays some of these symptoms does not always develop PTSD.

“We saw a large increase in the individual symptoms but a slight increase in PTSD,” Clifford said.

Gustav and Ike brought back memories of Katrina for some of Clifford’s patients.

“Hurricanes are very stressful. Mental health-wise they have a big impact,” said Clifford.

Clifford said he sees a sense of hopelessness among people who have been through the hurricanes.

“More people are afraid now because there are more storms,” he said.

The feeling of powerlessness over the storm can lead to depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide. Clifford said some people tend to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, which spawns other problems.

On the other hand, Clifford has also found a lot of people who have developed resiliency and a sense of empowerment.

“People are a lot more realistic about storms,” Clifford said. He found people who had gone through Katrina were more prepared for Gustav and Ike. He stressed that having a strong sense of community and organization has improved mental health attitudes in the area since Katrina.

“It makes people realize they can do something. A sense of community is just as important as medical help. I’ve seen that a lot,” Clifford said.

Still, the threat of hurricanes and their resulting stress is always on people’s minds. Even when the hurricane season is over, “we think about it in the back of our mind,” Clifford said.

That has put a strain on the local medical community that is still trying to rebuild itself after Katrina. Clifford said there are not enough mental health beds in the area for those seriously affected by the storms. Because of the shortage, patients have to be taken to mental health facilities in Baton Rouge, Monroe and Jackson, Miss.

“That puts even more stress on the patient,” Clifford said.

The lack of mental health professionals has increased the stress on counselors who are working in Southeast Louisiana. When Clifford came back after Katrina, he was immediately swamped with work.

“We were called back to work very quickly. I had a full caseload in just two weeks,” Clifford said.

Even he admits that at times he was feeling hopeless about the situation and wanted to leave, but he stayed on.

“Everybody is affected by this,” he said.

Clifford said resources were much more available after Gustav and Ike because of a cooperative effort between government, private and faith-based entities.

For people who think they may be feeling stressful, panicky or depressed because of the recent hurricanes, Clifford has several suggestions. First of all, seek professional help. Secondly, Clifford said people should take care of themselves.

“Eat properly, get enough sleep, exercise, get away for awhile, learn relaxation techniques,” Clifford said.

People should try and talk about their feelings and express their fears and anxieties. Clifford said having a support group of friends to talk things out with is very important.

He cautions people from over-medicating themselves, such as consuming too much caffeine, alcohol or drugs.

“The symptoms are treatable,” he said. “Don’t panic, and try and stay in a thinking mode.”

He added that self-help groups and positive thinking are aids in fighting depression.

“Don’t let symptoms manage you, and don’t be critical of yourself because you feel stress about the storm,” he said.

Clifford added another important aid in mental health during and after a hurricane is one’s spirituality.

“That is very helpful, however you define your spirituality,” Clifford said.