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Psychiatric morbidity following Hurricane Andrew
Author(s) -
David Daniella,
Mellman Thomas A.,
Mendoza Lourdes M.,
KulickBell Renee,
Ironson Gail,
Schneiderman Neil
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.2490090316
Subject(s) - psychiatry , depression (economics) , stressor , anxiety disorder , anxiety , risk factor , medicine , posttraumatic stress , psychology , clinical psychology , economics , macroeconomics
The nature of psychiatric morbidity in previously non‐ill subjects from the area most affected by Hurricane Andrew was investigated at 6–12 months posthurricane. Preliminary associations of morbidity with personal and event‐related risk factors were also determined. Fifty one percent (31/61) met criteria for a new‐onset disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 36%, major depression (MD) in 30%, and other anxiety disorders in 20%. Thirty four subjects (56%) had significant symptoms persisting beyond 6 months. Having sustained “severe damage” was the risk factor most strongly associated with outcome. Our data underscore the range of psychiatric morbidity related to a natural disaster, and suggest a relationship to chronic stressors.