title: Mental health consequences of chemical and radiologic emergencies: a systematic review.
abstract: This article reviews the literature pertaining to psychological impacts in the aftermath of technological disasters, focusing on the immediate psychological and mental health consequences emergency department physicians and first responders may encounter in the aftermath of such disasters. First receivers see a wide spectrum of psychological distress, including acute onset of psychiatric disorders, the exacerbation of existing psychological and psychiatric conditions, and widespread symptomatology even in the absence of a diagnosable disorder. The informal community support systems that exist after a natural disaster may not be available to communities affected by a technological disaster leading to a need for more formal mental health supportive services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, RPHB 330, 1720 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA. Electronic address: lmccormick@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: MCCormick
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, RPHB 330, 1720 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriel S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tajeu
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, RPHB 330, 1720 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA; Chip Rewards, Inc, 2901 2nd Avenue South, Suite 210, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klapow
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D004190:Disasters; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011041:Poisoning / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances
keywords: Disasters; Mental health; Psychological impacts; Psychosocial interventions; Somatic symptoms