Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and the Clapham rail accident

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a well recognised condition which can have long-term consequences. A rail accident to commuter trains in south London provided an opportunity, within the context of a Psychological Therapies Service, to study the prevalence and associations of the condition in a follow-up study.

Method: Postal questionnaires were completed by 187 survivors (52% response rate) 10 to 22 months after the accident, and their symptoms were compared with a commuter control group.

Results: The accident group scored significantly higher on the Impact of Events scale (IES) than the control group. Severity of physical injury was significantly associated with high IES scores. Thirty per cent of those moderately or severely injured showed high levels of intrusion or avoidance symptoms (sub-scores of 20 or more). Thirty per cent of those nearest the accident focus had high sub-scores, associated variables being the accident experience of risk of death, feeling trapped and seeing death. For those less directly involved the proportions with symptoms were similar to those of controls.

Conclusions: It is recommended that disaster services should provide for long-term psychological effects, particularly for those survivors who are injured, who experience risk of death, feeling trapped or who witness death.