Trauma in Cambodia and Cambodian Camps
Trauma Reports of extensive trauma, poor health status, and depressive symptoms of this population are of concern in predicting future morbidity and mortality. Cambodian refugees are among the groups who have experienced severe psychological trauma. Many studies have examined psychiatric symptoms in groups of Southeast Asian refugees who were psychiatric patients. Several researchers have reported high levels of depression and very high rates of PTSD have also been reported.
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Studies of Trauma When psychiatrists studies 40 high school student many suffered massive trauma, endured separation from family, forced labor and starvation, and witnessed many deaths. Four years after leaving Cambodia, 20 (50%) developed post traumatic stress disorder; mild, but prolonged depressive symptoms were also common. Psychiatric effects were more common and more severe when the students did not reside with a family member.
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Recent Trauma No longer are the high rates of psychiatric morbidity associated with mass violence in refugee populations invisible to the humanitarian assistance community. Studies have shown that an extraordinary capacity of refugees to protect themselves against mental illness despite horrific life experiences. The recommendation emerges for refugee policy makers to create programs that support work, indigenous religious practices, and culture-based altruistic behavior among refugees.
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Site II The HPRT conducted a household survey to measure the extent of trauma, the physical and mental health symptoms, and the relative disability of the adult community living in the camps. There were many findings of the psychosocial impact of mass violence on this civilian refugee population. The principal aim was to identify differences by gender in traumatic experiences, psychiatric and physical symptoms, and social and economic limitations. Preliminary results are presented on "dose-response" relationships between cumulative trauma and symptoms of depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
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