As Christchurch medical centres continue to treat those with physical scars following Tuesday's devastating earthquake an increasing number of people left mentally battered are arriving seeking help.
The Ferry Road Medical Centre in Phillipstown has been dealing with patients ranging from the walking wounded on Tuesday to helping those with shock
and anxiety.
``We have been through this twice now, but the level of distress and destruction this time is another order of magnitude,'' Dr Les Toot told NZPA.
``We had walking wounded coming in initially on Tuesday -- people with cuts, minor injuries and things like that. We are starting to get more people with shock coming in and I expect that to increase.''
The medical centre had only just got water running again this morning and Dr Toot said it had been busy and challenging but they were getting through.
The New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPS) said today it was normal for people to feel a sense of ``shock and disbelief'' after traumatic events on the scale of Tuesday's quake.
``As the impact sinks in, people may find themselves overwhelmed by other strong feelings such as fear, anguish and frustration,'' NZPS spokesman Ian Lambie said.
Speaking to others in the community who had gone through a similar experience was one of the best ways for people to cope, Dr Lambie said.
Research suggested that talking to friends and family was more helpful than contact with professionals in the early stages of a disaster, he said.
People who wanted more information on how to cope following Tuesday's devastating website could go to NZPS's website on www.psychology.org.nz.
