A Look at Mental State of the Victims of a Disastrous Flood: An Experience from Kashmir

Background and objectives: Floods have potentially a negative impact, not only on the physical health but also on the mental health of the affected population. Our aim was to find the pattern of psychiatric morbidity in the flood victims who visited a mental health camp. Methods: This was a cross sectional study, approved by Ethical Committee of government medical college, Srinagar. Written informed consent from the subjects was taken. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to record the socio-demographic status. MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus) was used to assess the psychiatric diagnosis. Results: A total of 115 subjects visited the camp. Most of them belonged to 40-49 years age group (41.74%), females (66.96%) out-numbered males. Most of patients belonged to nuclear families (55.65%). 66 (57.39%) of our subjects had major depressive disorder, 14 (12.17%) had generalized anxiety disorder, 7 (6.09%) had panic disorder, 7 (6.09%) had post-traumatic stress disorder and 5 (4.35%) had adjustment disorder. 16 (13.91%) of our subjects where not found to have any psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: Large number of people is potentially in need of psychological attention following exposure to a disaster such as floods. The people, who are at potential risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as those in poor health and those who have been relocated, may benefit from targeted mental health services following a disaster like floods. In our study, major depressive disorder was the most common disorder affecting flood victims with 57.39% of the patients suffering from it.