The Tsunami in Japan has resulted in worldwide concern; this has increased with the additional threats of nuclear radiation. http://www.worldnewsco.com/news/japan-tsunami-radiation-threat. Due to these contamination effecting a larger population and having potentially devastating effect on the Aid workers, creating a whole new dimension the to an already horrific natural disaster. The nuclear threats pose not only physical concerns but can increase the potential psychological problems of survivors developing PTSD and secondary traumatisation for Aid workers. http://www.newsweek.com/2011/04/10/too-much-trauma.html
The psychological impact after the Japanese Tsunami has been predicted to look rather dismal. Psychologists say that there is a 25% chance of survivors developing PTSD after the initial Tsunami. This percentage is likely to increase with the threats of nuclear radiation http://blisstree.com/feel/scary-psychological-effects-of-japans-earthquake-tsunami-and-nuclear-disaster/
Psychologists might estimate high rates of survivors developing PTSD after a critical incident, however it was shown that during the 9/11 attack on the world trade centres, people were not as likely to have developed PTSD as predicted. Resulting in many researchers to begin investigating the resilience of people and what helps survivors in such circumstances. Resulting in the development of Psychological first aid, (see previous post) http://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/whatisresilience.4.aeea46911a3127427980004249.htmlhttp://ptsd.about.com/od/causesanddevelopment/a/Sept11_PTSD.htm
Although, the Tsunami is very different to the 9/11 attack, I think that as mental health workers we should be weary when estimating the extent to which PTSD might occur as to avoid the effects of a self-fulfilling prophecy. http://www.suite101.com/content/selffulfilling-prophecies-a15843 .If psychologists warn the survivors of the Tsunami about a potential at developing PTSD following the disaster and state the high probability of them developing the disorder, a self-fulfilling prophecy could occur, where more people develop PTSD due to them believing it is out of their control, because of what psychologists have said.
The risk of the survivors developing PTSD has already been discussed however, a real concern is the mental health of Aid workers, as they risk developing secondary traumatisation, which is also known as Vicarious trauma http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-27-2006-100635.asp. Vicarious trauma is when a person witnesses a disaster and starts to develop an adverse reaction to the event, which holds many similar symptoms to PTSD. This is found when people who are not directly affected by the disaster such as observers, Aid workers, rescuers, or even people watching on TV, start developing PTSD symptoms from what they have witnessed of a disaster. http://www.uic.edu/orgs/convening/vicariou.htm .
The prevalence of vicarious trauma is increased when rescuers have an increase in risk of their own life and wellbeing; hence the situation as it stands in Japan is affecting more than just the survivors. With the nuclear radiation threats both the health and psychological states of Aid workers are now important components to consider, as the probability of them developing vicarious trauma is increased.http://www.headington-institute.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2649
As mental health workers responding to this crisis, it is important to remember the cumulative effect of this particular natural disaster. The initial earthquake, Tsunami and now the nuclear radiation threats accumulate and affect the mental health of the survivors. Along with the survivors needs its necessary to investigate the effects of responding to this disaster as Aid workers and the real concern of Aid workers developing vicarious trauma.
For more information on the different reactions to trauma look at www.traumatrainingonline.com
