[Psychological disorders after severe occupational accidents]

After severe accidents, a significant number of victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders, which lead to considerable impairment in work and daily life. Few studies exist which deal with the psychological consequences of industrial accidents. The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (University of Freiburg) in cooperation with the Department of Trauma Surgery (University of Freiburg) have therefore carried out a prospective study on the subject. 56 victims of an industrial accident were assessed immediately after the accident, and again six months later, using different instruments, e.g. structured clinical interviews (e.g. ADIS). The prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders in the follow-up assessment after six months were 12% PTSD, 11% subsyndromal PTSD (not all criteria of PTSD fulfilled) and 11% other psychiatric disorders. The patients with PTSD and subsyndromal PTSD were compared with the patients with other psychiatric disorders. The accidents of patients with PTSD/subsyndromal PTSD were more serious, and their injuries more severe. In addition, these patients reported that they had thought much more about their work before the accident and believed that their work was much more dangerous than that of patients with other psychiatric disorders. As early as the first day after the accident the patients with PTSD/subsyndromal PTSD were afraid of developing physical and work-related problems as a consequence of the accident. They also reported more symptoms of PTSD and depression and anxiety symptoms. Patients with PTSD/subsyndromal PTSD reported more limitations in daily life and that they were unfit for work for a longer period. After their return to work, they had more problems and were less resistant to stress.