Citation

Setou N, Maruyama S, Morimoto K. Jpn. Med. Assn. J. JMAJ 2005; 48(7): 353-362.

Affiliation

Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Japan Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Facilitation of spontaneous recovery from psychic trauma and prevention of severe, chronic stress reactions is important in providing psychological support for disaster victims. To this end, it is necessary to appropriately screen victims for the risk of chronic mental diseases such as PTSD. This document outlines current problems particularly in the screening and diagnosis of PTSD, and discusses early support and mental health care at the time of the disaster. In addition, given the behavioral characteristics of Japanese people during and after a disaster, it is emphasized that psychosomatic approaches consider not only the psychological aspects of PTSD but also somatization of symptoms in providing early support for disaster victims.