ABSTRACT
Disaster victims who have been physically injured have been observed to be exceptionally quiet and undemanding. Observers have tended to regard the disaster syndrome as a reassuring phenomenon. Perhaps in America particularly, where emotional control is highly valued, and the possibility of experiencing depression or despair tends to be denied, the distress of the disaster victim, who behaves with such satisfactory outward restraint, is likely to be underestimated. Different individuals, depending on their antecedent emotional tendencies, will be more or less susceptible to the post-disaster depression. J. S. Tyhurst estimates that a majority of disaster victims are stunned and bewildered, without conscious emotion though manifesting physical changes appropriate to fear, and with restricted awareness. One gets the impression that the observer expected more uncontrolled behavior and emotional expression, and was relieved to find the victims so quiet and well behaved.
