Posttraumatic Stress Disorder of the Tsunami Survivors in Thailand
Nuntika Thavichachart MD, MSc*, Sookjaroen Tangwongchai MD*, Puangsoy Worakul MEd*, Buranee Kanchanatawan MD, MSc*, Siriluck Suppapitiporn MD, MSc*, Autapol Sukoltapirom na Pattalung MD*, Chutima Roomruangwong MD*, Ongart Chareonsook BSc**
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The natural disaster known as “the Tsunami” occurred in the Andaman sea coast of Thailand in
December 2004, and there had been questions whether it could cause PTSD amongst the population who lives
in the affected area and how to avoid PTSD condition to occur.
Objective : Establish statistical results of psychosocial factors, and their correlation to PTSD and other mental
disorders to generate the PTSD database.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional community surveys from 3,133 samples had been conducted in two
phases from the same sampling group. The first phase was concerned with prevalence of PTSD, depression,
and related factors. The second phase included 2,573 samples from the first phase and focused on chronic
PTSD and other mental disorders.
Results : The 3,133 samples used in the first phase show that 33.6% suffered from PTSD, 14.27% with depression,
and 11.27% suffered from both. The 2,573 samples from the first phase were followed, collected the blood, and
interview data only 21.6% were diagnosed with chronic PTSD.
Conclusion : The statistical analysis has identified risks factors that could cause PTSD, and protective actions
that could help to prevent PTSD. The prevalence of PTSD was still higher in the affected region six months
after the Tsunami.
Keywords : Posttraumatic stress disorder, Tsunami, Thailand
