Psychiatric Disorders Among Tortured Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal

• DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.58.5.475
• Publication Date: 2003-03-18T16:45:16Z
• Authors: Mark Van Ommeren; Joop T. V. M. de ...; Bhogendra Sharma; Ivan Komproe; Suraj B. Thapa; Etzel Cardeña
• Keywords: Torture; Conversion disorder; Dissociative disorders

<h3>Background</h3> The impact of torture on the distribution psychiatric disorders among refugees is unknown. <h3>Methods</h3> We surveyed a population-based sample 418 tortured and 392 nontortured Bhutanese living in camps Nepal. Trained interviewers assessed<i>International Classification Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10)</i>disorders through structured diagnostic interviews. <h3>Results</h3> Except for male sex, history was not associated with demographics. Tortured refugees, compared were more likely to report 12-month<i>ICD-10</i>posttraumatic stress disorder, persistent somatoform pain dissociative (amnesia conversion) disorders. In addition, lifetime posttraumatic affective generalized anxiety women, men, <h3>Conclusions</h3> Among survivors had higher 12-month rates of<i>ICD-10</i>psychiatric disorder. Men torture, but women certain results indicate increased need attention mental health specifically those reporting torture.