Trauma and Disaster Responses and Management (Review of Psychiatry Series, Vol 22, No 1)

Trauma and Disaster Responses and Management (Review of Psychiatry Series, Vol 22, No 1)

The editors of this powerful reference summarize our current understanding of the complex psychological, behavioral, and social responses to disaster, and present a compelling case for intensifying our focus on delivery and intervention efforts. In our increasingly dangerous world -- brought into urgent focus by the September 11, 2001, attacks -- the need to manage the psychiatric consequences of traumatic events and disasters has never been greater. The editors of this powerful reference summarize our current understanding of the complex psychological, behavioral, and social responses to disaster, and present a compelling case for intensifying our focus on delivery and intervention efforts. In just five chapters, 16 distinguished contributors examine the impact of trauma from the personal to the community level. After a discussion of neurobiologic and neuroanatomic responses to severe traumatic events, authors of subsequent chapters focus on the psychiatric epidemiology of disaster; the impact of traumatic stressors on children -- debunking the myth that children are more resilient than adults; the psychological interventions following mass violence, such as psychological debriefing, treatment of traumatic grief, pharmacotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interventions for children; and the special dilemmas posed by weapons of mass destruction, with recommendations on how nations can enhance preparedness against these weapons. This volume is a must-read for educators, students, residents, clinicians, and social workers -- in short, anyone interested in helping to heal the psychological fallout from traumatic events and disasters. In our increasingly dangerous world--brought into urgent focus by the September 11, 2001, attacks--the need to manage the psychiatric consequences of traumatic events and disasters has never been greater. The editors of this powerful reference summarize our current understanding of the complex psychological, behavioral, and social responses to disaster, and present a compelling case for intensifying our focus on delivery and intervention efforts. In just five chapters, 16 distinguished contributors examine the impact of trauma from the personal to the community level. After a discussion of neurobiologic and neuroanatomic responses to severe traumatic events, authors of subsequent chapters focus on the psychiatric epidemiology of disaster; the impact of traumatic stressors on children--debunking the myth that children are more resilient than adults; the psychological interventions following mass violence, such as psychological debriefing, treatment of traumatic grief, pharmacotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interventions for children; and the special dilemmas posed by weapons of mass destruction, with recommendations on how nations can enhance preparedness against these weapons. This volume is a must-read for educators, students, residents, clinicians, and social workers--in short, anyone interested in helping to heal the psychological fallout from traumatic events and disasters. Robert J. Ursano, M.D., is Professor and Chairman in the Department of Psychiatry at F. Herbert School of Medicine of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Ann E. Norwood, M.D., is Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at F. Herbert School of Medicine of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.