Refugees with a high risk of mental illness

Consequences of war and violence cause schizophrenia and stress disorders
Many people are currently fleeing war, violence and persecution. Such refugees are at much greater risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia compared to refugees leaving their home for economic or social reasons.

When people flee war and violence, they have an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders, researchers from the Swedish Karolinska Institute and University College London found in a study. The scientists published the results of their study in the journal British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Refugees are more likely to develop mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Image: Lydia Geissler / Fotolia.com)

Posttraumatic stress disorder more common in refugees
Refugees from crisis areas, where war and violence are on the agenda, have an increased likelihood of developing psychotic diseases, explain the physicians. Therefore, the countries receiving refugees should prepare to treat a higher number of people with mental illness, the researchers suggest. As a result of the humanitarian crises in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, there are currently a large number of displaced persons, asylum seekers and refugees worldwide. Refugees are at an increased risk of mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), say the experts. These patients go through so-called flashbacks and panic attacks. However, little is known about the risk of developing psychosis among refugees and further research is urgently needed, the researchers add.

Swedish study examines more than 1.3 million people
A team from the Swedish Karolinska Institute and UK University College London used national registry data to analyze more than 1.3 million people in Sweden. They looked for diagnoses of non-affective psychotic disorders in the population, the scientists explain. On a per capita basis, Sweden has received more refugees than any other high-income country. In 2011, refugees formed about 12 percent of immigrants in Sweden, the experts add.

Additional burdens for refugees should be reduced
The results of the researchers showed a total of 3,704 cases of psychotic disorders. Refugees were about 66 percent more likely to develop schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder compared to other immigrants, the researchers explain. The risk of suffering from psychosis was 3.6 times higher than that of the Swedish-born population. There is a great need to consider the early signs and symptoms of psychosis in refugees when they are being medically examined, the doctors say. Victims should be helped quickly and professionally. We should also try our best to reduce additional burdens on refugees, the experts add.

Self-esteem suffers
Asylum seekers face many challenges during their flight. Often the flight and the subsequent asylum procedure are a long and very stressful process, explain the physicians. For example, the inability to find a job could help the refugees feel unqualified and thereby lose their self-esteem. In addition, sufferers have experienced much misery and have to endure many difficulties in accessing health and social care, the researchers add. (As)