tornado brain

English

This English term is a hot word. Its inclusion on Wiktionary is provisional.

Etymology

Coined in or popularized by the 2024 paper referenced below. Compare baby brain, chemobrain.

Noun

tornado brain (uncountable)

1. Mental health difficulties faced by the survivors of a tornado.
   • 2024 February 19, Jennifer M. First, Megan Carnahan, Mansoo Yu, Sangwon Lee, J. Brian Houston, quoting anonymized tornado survivor “Terri”, “‘Recovering from Tornado Brain’: A Qualitative Analysis of Long-Term Needs after One of the Deadliest Tornadoes in U.S. History”, in Clinical Social Work Journal, →DOI, →ISSN, page 4:

     I need help concentrating and recovering from what we call ‘tornado brain’ in Joplin. Every time we hear the rumble of the storm, we think and hear the tornado happening.

References

• First, Jennifer M., Megan Carnahan, Mansoo Yu, Sangwon Lee, J. Brian Houston (2024 February 19) “‘Recovering from Tornado Brain’: A Qualitative Analysis of Long-Term Needs after One of the Deadliest Tornadoes in U.S. History”, in Clinical Social Work Journal, →DOI, →ISSN, pages 1-11