Psychiatrist Dr. Onur Okan Demirci, who stated that people affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes may experience a psychiatric condition called post-traumatic stress disorder, said: “Rescue teams are among the groups most affected by earthquake trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder is frequently seen in crime scene officials such as search and rescue teams and medical teams that intervene.”
Stating that post-traumatic stress disorder can occur within days and months after an earthquake as well as years after an earthquake, Demirci said, “Psychological assistance processes of the victims should not be limited to days or months. Be alert to the emergence of possible trauma symptoms over the years.”
Listing the symptoms of the trauma, Dr. Demirci said:
“Physical symptoms could be listed such as problems with sleep and appetite, sensitivity to sounds, startle response, introversion, feeling constantly alert, tension, restlessness, constant weakness, unwillingness, malaise, attention and focus problems, night nightmares, distraction, forgetfulness, irritability, irritability, quick temper, impulse control difficulty in experiencing an earthquake, high earthquake anxiety, decrease in work or school success, deterioration in social relations, personality changes, changes in habits, body aches, palpitations, sweating, tremors.”
