We present here a case in which functional MR imaging (fMRI) was done for a patient who developed retrograde psychogenic amnesia for a four year period of her life history after a severe stressful event. We performed the fMRI study for a face recognition task using stimulation with three kinds of face photographs: recognizable familiar faces, unrecognizable friends' faces due to the psychogenic amnesia, and unfamiliar control faces. Different activation patterns between the recognizable faces and unrecognizable faces were found in the limbic area, and especially in the amygdala and hippocampus.
*Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Hippocampus/physiology ; Female ; Amygdala/physiology ; Amnesia, Retrograde/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Adult

It is very difficult to identify the relationships between tangle events and accompanied mental disorders. There are often different descriptions of the same controversial conclusion. This thesis introduce the conception of contribute degree and discusses the causality of tangle events and accompanied mental disorders in forensic mental trauma assessments.
Forensic Psychiatry/methods* ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Mental Disorders/psychology* ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Schizophrenia/etiology* ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology* ; Wounds and Injuries/complications*

OBJECTIVEThis study was to analyze the mental health status of the children and adolescents from the areas struck by Wenchuan earthquake and to understand the factors that may have impact on their mental health after exposing to the earthquake.

METHODSSubjects of this survey were students (8 - 16 years old) from Chendu, Dujiangyan, Beichuan and Wenchuan districts which were the most severely affected areas in the earthquake. We analyzed the subjects' mental health conditions after Wenchuan earthquake by using a general questionnaire that was composed of the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13) and Depression Self-rating Scale for Children (DSRSC). Students are investigated 7341 case, 7387 case, 7395 case after 3, 6, 24 months. The data were analyzed with logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe CRIES-13 scores were (27.51 ± 12.26), (23.54 ± 12.79) and (21.35 ± 12.59) (F = 28.842, P ≤ 0.05) and the DSRSC scores were (11.79 ± 5.73), (10.94 ± 5.50) and (10.75 ± 5.27) (F = 17.084, P ≤ 0.05) 3, 6 and 24 months after the earthquake, respectively. The risk factors associated with depression 3, 6, 24 months after the earthquake were gender (female) (OR values were 2.14, 2.72, 2.31; 95%CI values were 1.01 - 3.03, 1.10 - 5.01, 1.02 - 4.58), age (less than 12 years old) (OR values were 1.97, 2.22, 1.93; 95%CI values were 1.43 - 3.17, 1.02 - 3.54, 1.32 - 3.27), having family member injury and death (OR values were 2.19, 2.45, 2.35; 95%CI values were 1.04-2.89, 1.16-2.08, 1.02 - 2.79), desperation (OR values were 2.24, 2.09, 2.16; 95%CI values were 1.00 - 2.54, 1.70 - 2.58, 1.00 - 4.56). The risk factors associated with PTSD 3, 6, 24 months after the earthquake were gender (OR values were 2.16, 2.94, 1.96; 95%CI values were 1.36 - 2.53, 1.36 - 2.53, 1.06 - 3.92), age (less than 12 years old) (OR values were 3.51, 2.62, 1.92; 95%CI values were 1.22 - 5.40, 1.14 - 4.93, 1.08 - 3.35), having teachers and schoolmates injury and death (OR values were 2.32, 2.48, 2.36; 95%CI values were 1.17 - 2.48, 1.30 - 2.72, 1.02 - 2.85), having family member injury and death (OR values were 2.73, 2.21, 1.85;95%CI values were 1.67 - 3.61, 1.04 - 3.15, 1.05 - 2.38), witnessing injury (OR values were 2.17, 2.36, 2.34; 95%CI values were 1.15 - 3.65, 1.17 - 2.67, 1.02 - 3.67), witnessing death (OR values were 1.98, 2.39, 1.71;95%CI values were 1.10 - 2.56, 1.14 - 3.70, 1.57 - 3.88), desperation (OR values were 2.02, 1.94, 2.02; 95%CI values were 1.67 - 2.35, 1.66 - 2.27, 1.82 - 2.26).

CONCLUSIONThe symptoms of PTSD and depression of young survivors from the earthquake-struck areas had gradually alleviated 3, 6, 24 months after the earthquake. Age (less than 12 years old), gender (female), having family member injury and death, witnessing injury and death, and desperation were the main risk factors that affected the children and adolescents mental health.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Depression ; epidemiology ; etiology ; psychology ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study compared the mental symptoms, especially symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of women who escaped prostitution, helping activists at shelters, and matched control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 113 female ex-prostitutes who had been living at a shelter, 81 helping activists, and 65 control subjects using self-reporting questionnaires on demographic data, symptoms related to trauma and PTSD, stress-related reactions, and other mental health factors. RESULTS: Female ex-prostitutes had significantly higher stress response, somatization, depression, fatigue, frustration, sleep, smoking and alcohol problems, and more frequent and serious PTSD symptoms than the other 2 groups. Helping activists also had significantly higher tension, sleep and smoking problems, and more frequent and serious PTSD symptoms than control subjects. CONCLUSION: These findings show that engagement in prostitution may increase the risks of exposure to violence, which may psychologically traumatize not only the prostitutes themselves but also the people who help them, and that the effects of the trauma last for a long time. Future research is needed to develop a method to assess specific factors that may contribute to vicarious trauma of prostitution, and protect field workers of prostitute victims from vicarious trauma.
Adult ; Alcoholism/etiology/psychology ; Depression/etiology/psychology ; Fatigue/etiology/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Mental Disorders/etiology/psychology ; *Mental Health ; Prostitution/*psychology ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/psychology ; *Social Work ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications/*psychology ; Stress, Psychological/complications

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors from a coal mining accident after 2 and 10 months and factors related to PTSD. METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of PTSD, 104 miners were surveyed through the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Forty survivors including 24 severe PTSD patients and 24 non-PTSD subjects were evaluated thoroughly. RESULTS: The current prevalence rate among survivors from the coal mining accident at 2 months was 50%. There were significant differences in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression, personality, and memory performance between the PTSD patients and non-PTSD controls. State anxiety, time to renew the work, depression, neuroticism, and the place they were staying, and length of service were predictors of PTSD. After 10 months of the accident, 30.6% survivors still met the criterion of PTSD. Compared with 2 months after the accident, PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and memory performance improved clearly, while the depressive symptoms had no significant difference. The state anxiety, time to renew the work, positive coping, emotional balance, and length of service were the factors of PTSD symptom healing. CONCLUSION The current prevalence of PTSD among survivors from coal mining accident is high. The mining accident has great influence on victims, and psychological or medication interventions are necessary. There are lots of risk factors for the prevalence of PTSD, such as state anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and shorter duration of service. Positive coping may be a beneficial factor for PTSD recovery.
Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; Anxiety ; epidemiology ; psychology ; China ; epidemiology ; Coal Mining ; Depressive Disorder ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Survivors

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the physical and mental health status of disaster victims according to disaster types, such as a typhoon disaster and an oil spill disaster, and to suggest adequate health care services for them. METHODS: A total of 484 people who suffered disasters were selected for this study, and data were collected from July to August, 2008. The data-set for this study included 286 victims of typhoon disasters in Jeju and Jeollanamdo district in South Korea, and 198 victims of the oil spill disaster in Taean. Physical health status was measured using revised Patient Health Questionnaire and mental health status was measured using the Korean version of 'Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale'. RESULTS: According to the comparative analyses of typhoon disaster victims and oil spill disaster victims, poorer physical health outcomes were shown among the oil spill disaster victims when compared to the typhoon disaster victims. Also, the oil spill disaster victims showed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, at rates higher than those found among the typhoon disaster victims. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is a need to provide adequate physical and mental health-related care services for oil spill disaster victims. The seriousness of oil spill disaster should be realized and reconsidered in developing recovery strategies and disaster preparedness for physical and mental health services.
Adult ; Anxiety/etiology ; *Cyclonic Storms ; Data Collection ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Depression/etiology ; *Disasters ; Education ; Female ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; *Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Research ; Sampling Studies ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/etiology

This study prospectively examined the relationships among cognitive factors and severity of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in female victims of sexual violence. Thirty-eight victims of sexual violence recruited from Center for Women Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence at Ajou University Hospital. Cognitive factors and PTSD symptom were assessed within 4 months of sexual violence and 25 victims were followed-up 1 month after initial assessment. Repeated-measured ANOVA revealed that PTSD incidence and severity decreased over the month (F [1, 21]=6.61). Particularly, avoidant symptoms might decrease earlier than other PTSD symptoms (F [1, 21]=5.92). This study also showed the significant relationship between early negative trauma-related thoughts and subsequent PTSD severity. Shame and guilt proneness had significant cross-sectional correlations with PTSD severity, but did not show associations when depression severity is controlled. Our results suggest that avoidant symptoms might decrease earlier than other PTSD symptoms during the acute phase and that cognitive appraisals concerning the dangerousness of the world seem to play an important role in the maintenance of PTSD (r=0.499, P<0.05).
Adolescent ; Adult ; *Cognition ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression/diagnosis/etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Questionnaires ; Severity of Illness Index ; *Sex Offenses ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/*diagnosis/etiology ; Women ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the sensitivity of effect factors between the PCL-C and the SCL-90, to provide evidence for social psychological crisis screening and post-trauma interventions.

METHODSWe administered the PCL-C and SCL-90 to screen for PTSD and other psychological problems among students who survived the disaster and continued their school studies. The surveys were carried out 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the earthquake. A bivariate 2-level logistic model was used to explore the different levels of sensitivity among students. The factors influencing the relationships between PTSD and depression, and between PTSD and anxiety were examined.

RESULTSWe analyzed data from 1 677 students, revealing that female students in higher grades were more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression, rather than PTSD, compared with the control group (males in lower grades), and the difference was significant (P<0.05). In contrast, ethnic minorities were more likely to exhibit PTSD symptoms compared to the others. In addition, female students were more likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety than PTSD. Other effects that did not reach statistical significance were suggested to have a similar influence on PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONAfter a natural disaster, specific aspects of depression and anxiety should be examined, avoiding an overemphasis on PTSD in social psychological crisis interventions.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; China ; Depression ; etiology ; psychology ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Sex Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; etiology ; psychology ; Students ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: A natural disaster negatively affects children's emotional and behavioral adjustment. The purpose of this paper was to examine the prevalence, symptoms, and correlates of PTSD after the occurrence of Typhoon Rusa. METHOD: 261 elementary school children living in Kimcheon, which was a devastated rural area in South Korea by Typhoon Rusa, were selected. Data were collected 4 months after the disaster using the PTSD Reaction Index categories recommended by Frederick, severity of PTSD. RESULT: 12.3% of the children had either moderate or severe PTSD symptoms; 22.7% reported mild symptoms; and the remaining 65% had sub-clinical symptoms of PTSD. The most frequent symptom was recurrenct fear(67.0%). 13% to 17.2% of children exhibited difficulty in concentration, sleep disturbance, and guilt feeling. The regression model of severity of PTSD was composed of the level of exposure to traumatic experiences, grade in school, gender, negative coping style, and social support, and explained 34.3% for PTSD symptoms. Exposure to traumatic experiences was the strongest factor of all predictors. CONCLUSION: Emotional support from friends and coping style were correlated with PTSD severity. School-based interventions that emphasizes coping with disaster related problems and problem-solving may prove to be useful, and may aid in building close and supportive ties with teachers, classmates, and friends.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Attitude to Health ; Child ; *Child Psychology ; *Disasters ; Female ; Friends/psychology ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Life Change Events ; Male ; Models, Psychological ; Prevalence ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Regression Analysis ; Rural Health ; School Health Services ; Self Care/methods/psychology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Social Support ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis/epidemiology/*etiology/psychology ; Survivors