Objective: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), to determine the risk factors, and to monitor the
change of symptoms after 6 months among individuals who survived
the avalanche disaster in Van.
Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 35 people who
were rescued from two consecutive avalanche disasters in Van 2 months
and 6 months after the avalanche disaster. The socio-demographic and
clinical data of the cases were evaluated. The Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder Symptom Scale-Self Report version (PSS-SR) and clinical
interviews were used for PTSD diagnosis. The level of trauma was
assessed by using the Impact of Event Scale (IES).
Results: All participants were rescuers who went to the avalanche site
for rescue mission. Of the cases, 16 were volunteers from the local
community and 19 were professional rescuers. The frequency of PTSD
was 71.4% in the early assessment, and 57.1% in the long term. Staying
in avalanche for more than 30 minutes, the absence of a history of
disaster exposure and being in the group of volunteers were found to
increase the risk for PTSD development.
Conclusion: There is a high risk of developing PTSD as a result of
an avalanche. People who will intervene with the disasters should be
educated and prepared in terms of preventing negative psychological
consequences of the disaster. The relationship between the severity of
trauma and PTSD was replicated in our study.
Keywords: Avalanche, Psychiatric Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder