PTSD and bipolar II disorder in Fukushima disaster relief workers after the 2011 nuclear accident.
BMJ Case Rep
; 13(9)2020 Sep 17.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-781109
ABSTRACT
The global threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to accurately identify the immediate and long-term postdisaster impacts on disaster-relief workers. We examined the case of a local government employee suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar II disorder following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The complex and harsh experience provoked a hypomanic response such as elated feelings with increased energy, decreased need for sleep and an increase in goal-directed activity, which allowed him to continue working, even though he was adversely affected by the disaster. However, 3.5 years later, when he suffered further psychological damage, his PTSD symptoms became evident. In addition to treating mood disorders, trauma-focused psychotherapy was required for his recovery. Thereafter, we considered the characteristics of mental health problems that emerge in disaster-relief workers, a long time after the disaster, and the conditions and treatments necessary for recovery.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Relief Work
/
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
/
Bipolar Disorder
/
Tsunamis
/
Earthquakes
/
Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Type of study:
Case report
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bcr-2020-236725
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