Stress reaction, anxiety and depression after bomb attacks in Reyhanli in Syria-Turkey border

Abstract

Objective: Terror attacks are actions taken to create maximum negative psychological impact on the target population. As result of two separate bombings on March 11th 2013 at Hatay, Reyhanli 52 people died and 146 people were injured. The purpose of this study is to determine the ratio of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on sixth month following the blast in those people who were exposed to explosions either visually and auditory, and in those who were indirectly exposed by being witnesses. Methods: In this study 43 people who were directly exposed, 42 people who were indirectly exposed to the explosions and 45 healthy people as a control group are included for a total of 130 individuals. On sixth month after the blast Beck Depression Inventory, Civilian Versions of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Sociodemographic Information Form were administered to all subjects. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder on people who directly and indirectly exposed to explosions are significantly high compared to control group. Among the three groups there are no statistically significant differences in terms of age, gender and demographic factors. Conclusions: Our study has supportive information about the individuals who were exposed to terrorist attacks have high prevalence of PTSD. Additionally, the fact that the prevalence of PTSD and depression were higher in directly exposed cases than indirectly exposed ones may be illustrative in terms of approach to terror trauma.