The Psychiatric Consideration of Torture

Lee, Chang Ho; Jung, Seung Yong; Jeon, Woo Taek

Abstract

Torture is an extreme life stressor which increases the risk of serious psychological and physical sequelae of victims. Despite Geneva declaration, Amnesty International reports that torture remains as human rights issue in many sites of the world. Even in Korean peninsula, torture is a serions human rights issue. This paper is a critical review on torture; to describe its methods and effects, the assessment of psychological and physical sequelae, and its treatment. Torture also affects survivor's family. The more prolonged, repeated, and unpredictable the experience of torture is, the more serious psychiatric consequences are likely. Psychological responses and sequelae include not only symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but also depression, personality changes, somatoform disorders and others. Diagnositic terms such as complex PTSD or torture syndrome have been used to denote the complexity of torture trauma. Treatment is a combination of pharmacotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, guidance for of socialre readaptation. Ensuring safety and trust between survivors and medical staffs is important. Torture prevention is to expose the facts particularly health data to the public, and collaborate with international organizations fighting against torture. Preventive interventions is linked to a change in the underlying socio-political causes and to the creation of necessary conditions for human rights and development at the level of society.