Post-traumatic responses to aerial bombing.
A refugee population exposed to aerial bombing was assessed for psychosocial sequelae within two months. Forty-three members over 15 years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Seventy-four percent had experienced an immediate but transient stress reaction. Subsequently, PTSD, anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms were common. Forty-four percent met the DSM III diagnostic criteria for PTSD. In addition, social withdrawal, irritability and hostility, interpersonal relationship problems and functional disability were found. Although a variety of psychosocial symptoms were seen, it is suggested that part of this response be considered as manifestation of a healthy, normal attempt to cope with a severely traumatizing experience. The effects of collective trauma and social methods of treatment are also described.
Somasundaram
D J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000208:ethnology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014857:Warfare