Wellington, Sept 9 NZPA - Victims of Saturday's massive Canterbury earthquake could react in many different ways but all reactions should be seen as the "normal reactions of sensible human beings" to adversity, a leading psychologist says.

Tony Taylor, emeritus professor at Victoria University's School of Psychology, specialises in human reactions to disasters and the phases of disasters.

He said typical symptoms of psychological stress were loss of appetite, inability to sleep and being agitated.

"A truck passing that makes a house tremble in a normal sort of way or any great commotion outside with emergency vehicles can trigger a stress response in the wake of a disaster like an earthquake.

"It is only if these things persist for some time and it gets more than a person can manage without help, that it needs treatment."

It was important not to overreact to individual responses to the disaster, Prof Taylor said.

"Do not let us pathologise what could be the normal reactions of sensible human beings to temporary adversity," he said.

"We have to turn adversity into some kind of triumphant experience. Given time, support and encouragement, this will happen."

He urged people to be understanding, compassionate and caring, and to think more of the ordinary, neighbourly, everyday things that made good communities work.

Talking to friends was the best help for psychological stress, Prof Taylor said.

He also urged people to stay calm for the sake of their children.

"Children can capture the feelings of anxiety, worry of their parents and translate it through to themselves," he said.

NZPA WGT sl kk gt