Psychological stress another threat in Bali<\/p>\n
I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali<\/p>\n
Volunteers and security officers who have been working around
\nthe clock in the aftermath of the fatal blast in Legian are prone
\nto the Post-Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD), a noted psychiatrist
\nhas warned.<\/p>\n
"These people should rest immediately. It does not necessarily
\nmean a full eight-hour sleep, just lying on the back for fifteen
\nminutes and thinking of anything else will be enough," Udayana
\nUniversity professor Luh Ketut Suryani said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Working continuously for several days without proper rest in
\nthe environment characterized by charred, mutilated corpses, and
\ncollapsed buildings, would eventually drain one's ability to
\nthink clearly and coherently, Suryani said.<\/p>\n
Generally that inability would trigger PTSD, he said.<\/p>\n
"I am particularly concerned about the journalists,
\nvolunteers, and security officers, who were present at the scene
\nright after the blast, and then continued working constantly for
\nhours without taking any rest. These people have encountered
\nterrible scenes they probably had never seen before, but then
\nthey have o brush aside their fears, repulsion, sadness, anger,
\nor exhaustion in order to carry out their jobs. They are surely
\nvery exhausted by now, physically and mentally."<\/p>\n
PTSD was characterized by sleep disorders, anxiety, extreme
\nfear, and recurring "flash-backs" of the traumatic event.<\/p>\n
"Some of the locals who live near the bomb site have displayed
\nthose symptoms. A few of them admitted the tragedy keeps haunting
\nthem, that they still could hear the sound of the blast or feel
\nthe heat of the raging fire. Generally, they do not dare to come
\nnear the devastated area," Suryani said.<\/p>\n
At least 190 people were killed and more than 300 injured by
\nthe bombs that exploded in Paddy's Pub and outside the Sari Club
\non Oct. 12. The blast and ensuing fire also destroyed dozens of
\nnearby buildings and cars.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Suryani conducted free therapy sessions for the
\nlocals with PTSD symptoms. Combining western psychiatric methods
\nof regressive hypnosis and Balinese traditional meditation
\ntechniques she helped at least 13 locals overcome their trauma.<\/p>\n
"It was very good. I certainly feel better now. It is as if I
\nhad been relieved of a suffocating burden," Dewa Darnesta, who
\nlived just some 50 meters from the leveled Sari Club, said.<\/p>\n
Ever since the explosion the 44-year-old man had experienced
\nextreme fear, including a fear of sleeping alone. His family of
\nnine have been sharing one bedroom ever since.<\/p>\n
The therapy sessions were part of a free medical services
\ncampaign organized by the Udayana University's school of
\nmedicine. Some 30 ear, nose, and throat specialists, 30
\npsychiatrists, and 150 medical students are involved in the work.<\/p>\n
The therapy was held inside the humanitarian post, 100 meters
\nfrom the blast site, and at the Legian clinic.<\/p>\n
The workers have established a 24-hour hot-line at 0361-222510
\nto provide counseling and information services for the locals,
\nwho are suffering medical problems as the result of the
\nexplosion.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psychological-stress-another-threat-in-bali-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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