Zhou thought she had moved on from the shattering experience after the first few years, but now feels the shadow returning. Every time she thinks about the miserable scene of the earthquake she cries and feels dizzy. In crowds she feels disoriented, as if thrown back into the midst of her ordeal. Even taking a bus, because of the motion, makes her uneasy.
She has not seen any mental health professionals since two weeks after the quake in 2008.
Timothy To Wing-ching, executive director of the Post Crisis Counseling Network in Hong Kong, said Zhou may be suffering from a trauma-related mental disease. “The disease can induce serious physical problems and even make people commit suicide,” he said, adding many Chinese people lack knowledge and awareness of it.
“Time will not heal all wounds,” To confirmed. He stressed those who have experienced severe trauma, like Zhou, need the help of professionals.
Zhou will become an adult 11 days after the 10th anniversary of the quake on Saturday. She is already celebrating on WeChat. She loves painting and her ambition is to study art at university. She is busy preparing for entrance exams.
“I want to marry a man like (Hong Kong entertainment celebrity) Shawn Yue Man-lok, a cool and gentle guy,” she smiled.
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