Disaster Psychiatry: Readiness, Evaluation, and Treatment

Disaster Psychiatry: Readiness, Evaluation, and Treatment is the first clinical guide dedicated specifically to equipping mental health professionals with the knowledge they need to respond usefully and effectively when disaster strikes. Using a biopsychosocial model, the book explains the mental health implications of disasters and clearly outlines treatment paths and interventions based on peer-reviewed scientific literature and the firsthand experiences of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers who have dedicated their time and expertise to the cause of alleviating suffering in the aftermath of traumatic events. Experts in disaster psychiatry from two organizations the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) and Disaster Psychiatry Outreach (DPO) have collaborated to create this manual, which provides in-depth information on best practices clearly presented for ease of use by psychiatric clinicians preparing for or responding to disasters. The authors have conducted an extensive review of the literature on survivors of traumatic events, ranging from individuals with posttraumatic stress in the aftermath of World War II to victims of the earthquake that rocked Haiti in 2010. Written specifically for the clinical community, Disaster Psychiatry: Readiness, Evaluation, and Treatment is a must for the libraries of psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses working in disaster settings, as well as medical educators and residents.