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. 2021 Nov 25;18(23):12409.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312409.

Acute-Stage Mental Health Symptoms by Natural Disaster Type: Consultations of Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Teams (DPATs) in Japan

Yoshifumi Takagi  1   2 , Sho Takahashi  2   3 , Yasuhisa Fukuo  4   5 , Tetsuaki Arai  6 , Hirokazu Tachikawa  2   3
Affiliations

Acute-Stage Mental Health Symptoms by Natural Disaster Type: Consultations of Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Teams (DPATs) in Japan

Yoshifumi Takagi et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

This study analyzed the support activities that the Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team (DPAT) in Japan provided following four previous disasters (a volcanic eruption, a mudslide, a flood, and an earthquake) to identify links between the disaster type and the characteristics of acute stage mental disorders observed. Using Disaster Mental Health Information Support System database records of consultations with patients supported by the DPAT during the survey period from 2013 (when DPAT was launched) to 2016, we performed cross-tabulations and investigated significant differences using chi-squared tests. For expected values less than 5, Fisher's exact test was performed. Frequently occurring acute-stage symptoms after a disaster include anxiety, sleep problems, mood and affect, and physical symptoms. The affected population characteristics, victim attributes, severity of damage sustained, and evacuation status were the chief factors that influenced acute-stage mental health symptoms. The psychiatric symptoms detected in our study together with the results of diagnoses are important for determining the types of early interventions needed during the acute stage of a disaster. By sharing baseline mental health information, together with disaster-related characteristics highlighted in this study, mental health providers are better able to predict future possible mental disorders and symptoms.

Keywords: DMHISS; DPAT (Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team); Japan; acute mental health symptoms; and earthquake; disaster; disaster psychiatry; flood; landslide; volcanic eruption.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Characteristics of the Four Disasters (Note: Explanation of the date of occurrence, damage and other details of the four disasters).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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