An open wound: psychological impacts of the loss of the home after a natural disaster

Abstract

Every year in Brazil, high volumes of rain cause floods, flash floods and landslides that result in natural disasters in cities. Besides the deaths, the country sees the number of homeless people increases every year, causing much more than material damage. When these tragedies lead to the loss of the home, enormous physical, emotional, and mental damage come into play. From the perspective of analytic psychology, this article attempted to reflect on the psychological effects of the loss of home. Based on bibliographical and documental research, this paper examined historical and cultural aspects to reveal in what way the poorest population became the most affected by this problem. Settled in locations highly vulnerable to natural disasters they are victims of the lack of investments in proper infrastructure and are constantly exposed to the threat of losing their shelter. The home holds a considerable importance for the persons’ image in the world, providing a place for their lives both geographically and psychologically. For different authors, this physical space projects the uniqueness of personal and professional trajectories, also presenting itself as an instrument of individuation. Dwellers are capable of reproducing in the home the way they lead with inner contents, in a relationship of continuity. It was concluded that witnessing the destruction of the home elicits in the individual a sensation of agony for his own existence, bringing to the surface primal insecurities such as fear of rejection and abandonment. Therefore, when a house falls apart, it can drag with itself projections of the past, present and future of a person.