Victims of nuclear disasters often suffer from massive psychological consequences

After nuclear accidents often remain severe psychological trauma
Nuclear disasters such as in Fukushima or Chernobyl cause horror and deep dismay. Reporting usually covers the physical and consequential damages of victims, such as Focus on cancer or malformations. The mental wounds, however, are usually neglected - although a so-called "largest accident to be assumed" (GAU) leads to many people suffering severe mental suffering.

Scientists demand stronger education of the victims
More cases of cancer, acute radiation sickness or genetic malformations: Following nuclear disasters such as in Chernobyl (1986) or Fukushima (2011), the focus of media reporting is primarily on the health effects and long-term consequences of those affected. On the other hand, emotional distress usually receives little attention, although, according to a recent study, a discomfort often leads to massive mental trauma. Researchers at Fukushima Medical University are therefore calling for people to be better informed about the actual consequences of a nuclear disaster.

Nuclear catastrophes not only cause massive physical damage to the victims, but also affect their psychological well-being. (Picture: Thomas Bethge / fotolia.com)

Residents suffer from depression and stress disorder
This is reported by the scientists in the journal "The Lancet", and their article is part of a series devoted to the continuing radiological and psychological effects of nuclear disasters on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. 20 years after the Chernobyl accident, many people in the affected area suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The same applies to the victims of Fukushima: Of the adults who had to leave their homes due to the GAU, nearly 15% were affected by mental health problems - while the proportion in the rest of the population was only three percent.

This may possibly be related to the chaotic conditions of the evacuation and, moreover, people were not adequately informed about the health risks at that time. "Although radiation exposure to the people of Fukushima was relatively low and no discernible physical harm was expected, psychological and social issues had a devastating impact on people's lives," said study leader Koichi Tanigawa.

Doctors should pay more attention to psychological stress
Accordingly, dealing with the topic must be changed, among other things, the residents should be informed more comprehensively about the health risks and more intensive medical care should be, writes another team of researchers to Prof. Akira Ohtsuru from the Fukushima Medical University in "The Lancet". "During the recovery phase following a nuclear disaster, physicians could review mental stress and provide general physical and mental health care for the many affected residents who had to leave their home areas in the long term," the researchers write in their article.

An important aspect, since after the disaster in Fukushima in March 2011, 170,000 residents within a radius of 30 kilometers had to be evacuated from the danger area. Kenji Kamiya of Hiroshima University and his team emphasize the urgency of providing medical care. As the radiation exposure increases the risk of cancer in the course of life, a medical follow-up of the survivors is essential, the scientists write in another article in the Lancet series. In addition, "at high doses, and possibly at low doses, radiation [...] could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and some other non-cancer," the researchers added. On the other hand, it is still unclear from which radiation level the risk of complications increases. Therefore, it is important not only to research the health effects of nuclear accidents, but also to develop limits and standards of protection. (No)