Dentofacial Deformities

Abstract

Even though organized research has studied the mental health aftermath of disasters for decades, recent major terrorist incidents- especially the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks-have greatly increased professional and public awareness of the need for more knowledge of the impact of such events on the affected population's mental health. To learn more about disasters and mental health, we start by examining the signature diagnosis of disasters, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First the diagnostic criteria for PTSD are reviewed with an overview of this disorder in the general population to provide a background for special consideration of PTSD following a disaster. Then findings from studies of the effect of the Oklahoma City bombing on the occurrence of PTSD and other disorders are presented to illustrate the value of empirical data in developing clinical directions for assisting populations affected by such events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)