Long-term post-stress disorders in flood victims

Abstract

Victims exposed to serious flood disaster may develop stress symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suffer from this mental health problem for a long time. The aim of this study was to estimate the chronicity rate and identify the prognostic factors of PTSD in flood victims. Flood victims, who were over the age of 18 and diagnosed with PTSD in 2012 in Krymsk, Krasnodar region, Russia, were enrolled in this survey. Current probable PTSD was analyzed using the Clinical-administered PTSD Scale. Clinical data were collected in face-to-face interviews, and the specially designed symptoms charts had been filled out; statistical methods had been applied to data analysis. Our findings indicated that PTSD still persists 3 years after the flood. The rate of current probable PTSD was 36.2%. Significant prognostic factors for current probable PTSD were the floodrelated stressors (e.g. bereavement during the emergency, loss of real estate property, adverse previous life events and older age). Gender showed no influence on the recovery from PTSD.