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Choi, Lee, and Lee: Psychiatric Diagnoses of Torture Survivors
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2012; 51(3): 127-133.

Published online: 31 May 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkna.2012.51.3.127

Psychiatric Diagnoses of Torture Survivors

Hyunjung Choi, MA1, 2, Hwa-Young Lee, MD3, Hoon-Jin Lee, PhD1

1Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

2Traumahealingcenter Human.Heart, Seoul, Korea.

3Institute of Medicine and Human Rights, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Hwa-Young Lee, MD. Institute of Medicine and Human Rights, Mapo Trapalace A-2704, 559 Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 121-784, Korea. Tel +82-2-711-7588, Fax +82-2-711-7589, icarpeace@naver.com

Received 20 February 2012       Revised 23 April 2012       Accepted 24 April 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

This study was to investigate the psychiatric diagnoses of survivors of traumatic stress, i.e. torture, as a part of a large research project of a human rights survey of torture survivors.

Methods

Participants were 24 torture survivors who consented to participate, who had experienced torture during the period of 1970 through the 2000's. Participants were recruited from human rights support groups and government agencies using the snowballing technique. Data was collected by a psychiatrist and two psychologists using the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview PLUS.

Results

The prevalence of past psychiatric diagnoses which occurred during a post-victimization period included post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 37.5%), depressive disorders (45.8%), panic disorder (16.6%), substance related disorders (24.9%), psychotic disorder (4.1%), and adjustment disorder (16.6%). The prevalence of current diagnoses at interview period included PTSD (33.3%), depressive disorders (41.6%), panic disorder (8.2%), generalized anxiety disorder (4.1%), substance related disorders (20.8%), psychotic disorder (4.1%), adjustment disorder (12.5%), and suicidal tendency of above mid-level (16.6%). The co-morbidity rate was 37.5% in the past, and 33.3% at present.

Conclusion

It was revealed that torture survivors were suffering from high rates of chronic psychiatric disorders. Appropriate psychiatric treatment may be in need to support the sufferings of the survivors.

Keywords: Torture, Mental disorders, Post-traumatic stress disorders

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