Thursday, Dec 30, 2004
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By K.V. Subramanya
BANGALORE, DEC. 29. A study of disasters worldwide suggests that providing psychological help to victims is important. The study assumes significance in the wake of the tsunami leaving a trail of death and destruction in the southern parts of the country. The report, "Psychological effects of disasters," by Gary Jackson, Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry, Middlesex Hospital, London, has been published in the book Disasters and Emergencies: Preparedness and Management of Health Services brought out by the Bangalore-based Indian Society of Health Administrators.
Distress
Dr. Jackson emphasises the need for providing psychological help to victims as "there appears to be an abnormally high rate of distress over the first few months of disasters." Dr. Jackson quotes the experiences of the victims of the earthquakes in Peru (1970), Managua/Nicaragua (1972) and the Fiji cyclone (1983) and those of the Bhopal gas tragedy (1989). He says 57 per cent of the people in Bhopal, who were assessed by a psychiatrist, were diagnosed to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. A sample of 75 people of a Fiji village damaged by cyclone showed twice the normal rate of emotional disturbance 10 weeks after the disaster. Many survivors of the Peru earthquake flocked to field clinics without injury but complaining of "susto" fear. Initially people were in a state of shock and were stunned and wandered aimlessly, the report says. Referring to the Nicaragua earthquake victims, the report says that the consultation rates for neurotic problems increased during the first few months of the earthquake.
Sense of community
Dr. Jackson says that appropriate plans to help the victims can be chalked out only if relief workers understand how distressed the victims are. Promoting a sense of community among the displaced can be achieved by housing families together and old neighbours next to one another. "Family and community support may minimise the effects of the immense disruptions they have experienced," he says.
Follow-up
Dr. Jackson says some people do not develop any symptoms until weeks or months after the tragedy. Therefore, follow-up of the victims is essential. It is important to educate local health workers, teachers, traditional healers, religious leaders and other community members, to whom the victims may turn for help, of the psychological effects of disasters. "This can help the efficient recognition and referral of those in need," he suggests. Dr. Jackson also suggests that the "stressful overexposure" of relief workers must be avoided as they may experience a feeling of helplessness and a sense of inadequacy, resulting in physical or psychological withdrawal.
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