Management on Tsunami Causing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report
Ngamwong Jarusuraisin MD*, Kanch Kesornsukon MS (Counseling Psychology)*
Affiliation : * Mental Health Center, Bangkok Phuket Hospital, Phuket
On December 26, 2004, tsunamis hit Southeast Asia and caused serious damage and loss of lives. In Thailand, six provinces (Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun) were impacted. The present study reports the psychiatric assessments such as Thai GHQ-60 and IES. It also reports management tech- niques of both cognitive behavior therapy and medication. Those were provided to a Thai female patient who was 54 years old. The patient responded to treatment quickly because of early management. The tsunami victim with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not an individual. A mass of people who faced or witnessed the tsunami are vulnerable to get PTSD any time during 6 months after trauma. These early management techniques are useful and practical for a mass of victims and survivors.
Keywords : Tsunami, PTSD, CBT, GHQ, IES
