Psychiatric problems in returning travelers: Features and associations

Background, Travelers may return from the tropics with Psychological proble ms. The literature regarding features and associations of these psychologic al problems is limited. Methods: Case histories of 15 consecutive returning travelers seen at our p sychiatric service during the last 8 years. Results: The median age of this group was 25 years, 10 were males, and the length of trip ranged from 10 days to 8.5 months. None of these travelers h ad prior psychopathology. The most common presentation was anxiety (with or without depression, n = 11), 3 suffered from acute psychosis, and I had pu re depression. Eight of the travelers have used illicit drugs, which in 5 c ases probably served as a trigger. Antimalarials may have played a role in 3 travelers. Six travelers needed antidepressants and supportive therapy, 3 neuroleptics, and 1 psychotherapy. These treatments lasted for 6 months an d over in 6 of the travelers. Conclusion: Psychiatric problems among travelers to the tropics are multifa rious in nature, multifactorial, have a strong relation to drug abuse, and may require a long and intensive therapy. Travelers should be better educat ed about the risks of using illicit drugs.