ABSTRACT
Disasters are often life-changing events that have far-reaching mental health effects on survivors, families, friends, responders, communities, and even nations (Weisaeth and Tønnessen 2003, 69, quoted; Raphael 2000). A wide range of psychological and behavioral consequences has been reported in those who are exposed to disasters. The majority experience fear and distress; a smaller subset will respond by making behavioral changes. A substantial minority will have an onset, exacerbation, or reoccurrence of a psychiatric disorder, and 30 percent will experience chronic symptoms lasting more than a year (Shultz et al. 2007, cited Butler, Panzer, and Goldfrank 2003). This chapter will focus on the mental health outcomes of adult survivors of disasters and terrorism.
