The Incidence of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Adults and Children in the Phang Nga Region of Thailand

Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common occurring results of experiencing disasters. This is no less true in the region of Thailand that suffered the most devastating effects of the 2004 tsunami. Efforts to help survivors in the region diminished dramatically after a short time in the nontourist region of Phang Nga. A project was undertaken to develop the beginning of a school-based PTSD intervention for the region through the Bureau of Educational Innovation Development of the Ministry of Education of Thailand. A focus group study or incidence and frequency of PTSD cases in the region accompanied the project. Results included that children present with different symptoms than do adults, and implications of the study are discussed in this article.