J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2012 May;51(3):127-133. 10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.3.127.

Psychiatric Diagnoses of Torture Survivors

• Choi H
• Lee HY
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2194609
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.3.127

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was to investigate the psychiatric diagnoses of survivors of traumatic stress, i.e. torture, as a part of a large research project of a human rights survey of torture survivors.
METHODS
Participants were 24 torture survivors who consented to participate, who had experienced torture during the period of 1970 through the 2000's. Participants were recruited from human rights support groups and government agencies using the snowballing technique. Data was collected by a psychiatrist and two psychologists using the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview PLUS.
RESULTS
The prevalence of past psychiatric diagnoses which occurred during a post-victimization period included post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 37.5%), depressive disorders (45.8%), panic disorder (16.6%), substance related disorders (24.9%), psychotic disorder (4.1%), and adjustment disorder (16.6%). The prevalence of current diagnoses at interview period included PTSD (33.3%), depressive disorders (41.6%), panic disorder (8.2%), generalized anxiety disorder (4.1%), substance related disorders (20.8%), psychotic disorder (4.1%), adjustment disorder (12.5%), and suicidal tendency of above mid-level (16.6%). The co-morbidity rate was 37.5% in the past, and 33.3% at present.
CONCLUSION
It was revealed that torture survivors were suffering from high rates of chronic psychiatric disorders. Appropriate psychiatric treatment may be in need to support the sufferings of the survivors.

Keyword

Torture; Mental disorders; Post-traumatic stress disorders

MeSH Terms

Adjustment Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Depressive Disorder
Government Agencies
Human Rights
Humans
Mental Disorders
Panic Disorder
Prevalence
Psychiatry
Psychotic Disorders
Self-Help Groups
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Stress, Psychological
Survivors
Torture