POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AS A CONSEQUENCE OF A TOXIC SPILL IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

This study examined the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated features in residents of Dunsmuir, California, f ollowing a toxic spill. Classification of PTSD was based on a cutoff s core from the Impact of Event Scale. It was predicted that greater exp osure to the spill would increase the risk of PTSD and associated symp toms among spill residents; that those classified with PTSD would repo rt more symptoms than would those without PTSD and controls; and that litigants would be classified with PTSD more than would nonlitigants. Results suggest that spill residents classified with PTSD had greater levels of tension, depression, anxiety, anger, fatigue, and confusion than did spill residents without PTSD and control residents with and w ithout PTSD. Spill residents with PTSD reported more memory problems a nd sleep disorders than did those without PTSD and control residents w ith and without PTSD. Measures of physiological arousal showed that sp ill residents had higher systolic blood pressure several hours after a stressful interview than did control residents without PTSD. Pulse ra tes several hours after a stressful interview were higher for spill re sidents with and without PTSD than for control residents with PTSD. Re sults suggest that exposed residents are at risk for developing PTSD a nd associated symptoms.