title: [Refugees' encounter with the Danish psychiatric system].
abstract: Recently, Western clinicians have met an increasing number of victims of organized violence who, as political refugees, have sought asylum here. On basis of literature-studies and research carried out by the authors, the article gives an overview of present knowledge about the composition of the refugee population in Denmark, and the need of psychiatric/psychological assistance. The most common presenting symptoms of traumatized refugees are related to traumatic stress-conditions, sometimes accompanied by acute outbursts of affect, psycho-somatic complaints, substance abuse or psychotic break-down. The relevance of the concept of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the field of refugee treatment is briefly described, and possible offers of therapy, including Post-Traumatic Therapy (PTT), are discussed. Some immediate questions facing psychiatry are raised, the need of a co-ordination of treatment offers is pointed out, and directions for further development of clinical practice and research are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Centralsygehuset i Hillerød, Psykiatrisk Afdeling R.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Agger
mesh_terms: D003718:Denmark; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy
vernacular_title: Flygtninges møde med det psykiatriske system.