ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

Assessment of traumatic symptoms in adults emerging after Hurricane Cubuk

Alpha Psychiatry 2011; 12: 266-273
Read: 669 Downloads: 498 Published: 01 August 2011

Objective: In this study, investigation of changes following a one year follow-up of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms emerging among adults who were affected by Hurricane Cubuk were aimed. Methods: Investigators comprised of psychiatrists and psychologists interviewed with 188 adults who were in the village during the hurricane one month after the event. Factors that could be risk factors for PTSD development were evaluated with demographic data of the subjects. Diagnosis of PTSD was made using clinician administered posttraumatic stress disorder scale (CAPS) and interview by the clinician. Severity of psychopathology was assessed using Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Assessments were repeated in 171 subjects 12 months after the hurricane. Results: Female gender, experiencing the hurricane and death of family members due to hurricane were detected to be risk factors for early PTSD development. However experiencing the hurricane and being 60 years and older were detected as risk factors for long term PTSD. Prevalence of PTSD which was 28, 3% in the early period was found as 12.4% in the long term. Discussion: In this study risk factors related with 1PTSD has been found similar with the risk factors described in the literature. The results reveal that economic and social problems caused by the trauma are as important as the trauma for symptom formation. Providing psychi-atric support along with urgent medical and surgical interventions just after the natural disasters like hurricane, earthquake is considerably crucial in terms of prevention of PTSD chronicity. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2011; 12(4.000): 266-273]

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EISSN 2757-8038