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Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and the Clapham rail accident

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Carolyn Selley ,
Elizabeth King ,
Robert Peveler ,
Karen Osola ,
Nick Martin  and
Chris Thompson
Carolyn Selley
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
Elizabeth King
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
Robert Peveler
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
Karen Osola
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
Nick Martin
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
Chris Thompson
Affiliation:
University of Southampton, Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG
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Abstract

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a well recognised condition which can have long-term consequences. A rail accident to commuter trains in south London provided an opportunity, within the context of a Psychological Therapies Service, to study the prevalence and associations of the condition in a follow-up study.

Method

Postal questionnaires were completed by 187 survivors (52% response rate) 10 to 22 months after the accident, and their symptoms were compared with a commuter control group.

Results

The accident group scored significantly higher on the Impact of Events scale (IES) than the control group. Severity of physical injury was significantly associated with high IES scores. Thirty per cent of those moderately or severely injured showed high levels of intrusion or avoidance symptoms (sub-scores of 20 or more). Thirty per cent of those nearest the accident focus had high sub-scores, associated variables being the accident experience of risk of death, feeling trapped and seeing death. For those less directly involved the proportions with symptoms were similar to those of controls.

Conclusions

It is recommended that disaster services should provide for long-term psychological effects, particularly for those survivors who are injured, who experience risk of death, feeling trapped or who witness death.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 5 , November 1997 , pp. 478 - 482
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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