Psychiatric disturbance with acute onset and offset in a Darwin evacuee

A case of transient situational disturbance in a Darwin evacuee is presented in order to place on record the nature of and the circumstances associated with a "breakdown" following the patient's evacuation form Darwin as a result of cyclone Tracy. The apparently gross behavioural disturbance was rapidly resolved after the involvement of a number of people willing, and apparently able, to provide help, without resort to hospitalization or medication.