Disaster Psychiatry: Readiness, Evaluation, and Treatment Edited by Frederick J. StoddardJr , Anand Pandya & Craig L. Katz. American Psychiatric Publishing. 2011. US$69.00 (pb). 418pp. ISBN: 9780873182171

‘The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but deliverance from fear.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson

As disasters, natural and man-made, become more common and their impact on mental health is recognised as both an acute aftermath and chronic enduring disorders, the discipline of disaster psychiatry has carved out its niche and gained in importance. This is a comprehensive clinical textbook aimed at informing and supporting mental health professionals interested in the field.

The book has four parts: ‘Readiness’, ‘Evaluation’, ‘Intervention’ and ‘Emerging topics’. It takes a biopsychosocial approach to understanding and managing disaster-related mental health issues. It gives brief case scenarios involving various types of disasters, describes mental health problems in affected individuals and discusses practical issues and hurdles faced by psychiatrists confronting disaster situations. The practical experience of the authors in disaster work gives the book an added dimension and enriches it with clinical wisdom.

The authors underline the gaps in knowledge and point to areas that need further research. There is a lack of an appropriate nosology for the spectrum of acute psychological consequences of disaster experience and there is caution against pathologising the normal emotional reactions to stressful situations. The book has its major focus in the USA, but most of its themes are relevant elsewhere, except perhaps the post-disaster intervention systems in the low- and middle-income countries. Psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed rather briefly given the burgeoning evidence base for various kinds, especially those aimed at addressing long-term consequences.

Multiple roles of psychiatrists in the process of dealing with disasters are emphasised. These include being an integral part of the disaster management systems, maintaining readiness between disasters, advocacy and policy-making, along with consultation with various organisations, and on-site and remote work providing training, supervision and support. In summary, it is a useful resource on disaster psychiatry with practical guidance for clinicians.