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Psychiatric morbidity following Hurricane Andrew
D David1, T A Mellman, L M Mendoza
1University of Miami, Department of Psychiatry, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Hurricane Andrew caused new psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression, in over half of previously healthy individuals six months later. Severe property damage was linked to persistent symptoms, highlighting disaster
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Disaster Mental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Natural disasters like Hurricane Andrew can precipitate psychiatric conditions.
- Understanding the long-term mental health impact on unaffected populations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychiatric morbidity in individuals not previously ill, 6-12 months post-Hurricane Andrew.
- To identify personal and event-related risk factors associated with psychiatric outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 61 previously non-ill subjects from a severely impacted area were assessed 6-12 months after the hurricane.
- Diagnostic criteria were used to identify new-onset psychiatric disorders and persistent symptoms.
Main Results:
- 51% of subjects developed a new-onset psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (36%), major depression (30%), and other anxiety disorders (20%).
- 56% experienced symptoms persisting beyond 6 months.
- Sustaining "severe damage" to property was the strongest risk factor associated with adverse psychiatric outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Natural disasters trigger a wide spectrum of psychiatric morbidity.
- Chronic stressors following a disaster may be linked to the persistence of psychiatric symptoms.