Hc. Holloway et al., THE THREAT OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS - PROPHYLAXIS AND MITIGATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL-CONSEQUENCES, JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association, 278(5), 1997, pp. 425-427
The microbial world is mysterious, threatening, and frightening to mos
t people. The stressors associated with a biological terrorist attack
could create high numbers of acute and potentially chronic psychiatric
casualties who must be recognized, diagnosed, and treated to facilita
te triage and medical care. Media communications, planning for quarant
ine and decontamination, and the role of community leaders are importa
nt to the mitigation of psychological consequences. Physicians will ne
ed to accurately diagnose anxiety, depression, bereavement, and organi
c brain syndromes to provide treatment, reassurance, and the relief of
pain.