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Somatic symptoms after a natural disaster: a prospective study.
J I Escobar1, G Canino, M Rubio-Stipec
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Natural disasters increase medically unexplained physical symptoms, especially gastrointestinal and pseudoneurological issues. This study investigated somatization symptoms post-disaster in Puerto Rico.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Disaster Medicine
Background:
- Natural disasters can significantly impact community mental and physical health.
- Somatization symptoms, or medically unexplained physical symptoms, are a common response to stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of somatization symptoms in a community following a natural disaster.
- To identify specific symptom clusters associated with disaster exposure.
Main Methods:
- Prospective examination of community respondents.
- Assessment of somatization symptoms and disaster exposure.
Main Results:
- Disaster exposure was linked to a higher prevalence of somatization symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, nausea) and pseudoneurological symptoms (e.g., amnesia, fainting) were particularly prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Natural disasters can trigger or exacerbate somatization symptoms.
- Targeted mental health support addressing physical symptoms is crucial in post-disaster recovery.