Psychiatric disorders following the Tunisian revolution

During the Tunisian Revolution, the constant threat of death and the feeling of insecurity brought about psychological reactions that tended to be excessive in some individuals, thus leading to genuine psychiatric disorders.

This study aimed to outline the different psychiatric disorders which occurred following the Tunisian Revolution and to determine the social, demographic and clinical features associated with these disorders.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken. We included all patients who first presented at the outpatient clinic at Razi hospital with psychiatric symptoms attributed to the Tunisian Revolution between 15 January 2011 and 15 October 2011. We used a form detailing social, demographic and clinical characteristics. Diagnoses were made on the basis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria.

Our population consisted of 107 subjects: 28 women (26.2%) and 79 men (73.8%), with a mean age of 40 ± 12. The majority (66.4%) were married. Most (57.9%) patients had a secondary education level. Agents of order represented the largest occupational group accounting for 36.4% of the population. The most prevalent psychiatric disorders included major depressive disorder (30.8%), adjustment disorder (30.8%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (27.1%).

This study emphasizes the diversity of psychiatric disorders that can occur following a man-made disaster.