Trauma to Haunt Survivors of Japan's Double Disasters (excerpts)
by Apples Jalandoni, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 03/19/2011 1:58 AM Updated as of 03/19/2011 12:15 PM
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MANILA, Philippines - Experts fear widespread post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors in Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
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Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, palpitations, clammy hands, shaking/shivering, insomnia, bouts of crying. This is an emotional, mental, psychological disorder as well as biological imbalance. Therefore, the treatment would be a combination of psychiatric therapy and intake of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety as well as sleep inducing medicines.
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Dr. Randy Dellosa, a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist, has meanwhile treated many patients with PTSD from Pinatubo and Ondoy. Dellosa said the treatment could last from 1 session to years depending on how the patient responds to the mitigation efforts of the doctor.
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Children are also more affected by PTSD because unlike adults, they don't have past experiences to look back to. Children also tend to not know what they are feeling and are going through. Children also could not verbalize the imbalances they go through. Therefore, a psychiatrist will use play/color/music therapy to treat them.
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let's continue to uphold our japanese brethren in prayer. they need all the help we can offer.
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