Post Traumatic Eco-Stress Disorder (PTESD): A Qualitative Study from Sundarban Delta, India

Abstract

. Eco-Stress traumas resulting from natural disasters like cyclone, earthquake, flood, hurricane, tsunami, bushfire, tornado, drought and wild animal attacks.. Technological traumas like plane crash, industrial accidents, domestic accidents, nuclear reactor explosion and oil spills etc.. Human induced direct trauma like sexual assault and rape, violence, terrorist attack, vehicle accident, combat and military trauma, illness, death and hostage taking etc.The nature and extent of ecological traumas [ ] are usually more pervasive and collective [ ] and entail a strong sense of powerlessness and destiny/spiritual dimension among the victims [ ]. PTSD is quite common after eco-disasters and it is estimated that the prevalence rate of PTSD related to natural disasters is currently between . % and . % depending on assessment methodologies, instruments and timing [ ].The present work based on the case studies from Sundarban, India, attempting to highlight the development of post-traumatic symptomatology after wild animal attacks, viz., Tiger, Shark and Crocodile, in the context of a unique ecological landscape of the delta region. "ll natural disasters and incidents are ecological events and their impact on humans in terms of psychological, physical, economic and social can be seen as an extraordinary eco-stress that is operative behind the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and hence the defining terms PTESD to separate it from Technological and Human related traumas . . The Study Area: SundarbanSundarban is the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world stretching over an area of about , Km % is in India and % in "angladesh . It comprises outer deltas of the Ganges, "rahmaputra and Meghna rivers at the confluence of "ay of "engal. The Indian portion is located about km southeast of Kolkata West "engal State , between ° to ° N and ° to ° E coordinates, at an altitude of m from the sea level.

Human Attacks by Large Felid Carnivores in Captivity and in the Wild

“…In addition to classic PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, dissociative reaction, affective dysregulation, and nightmares reliving the event, this study also illustrated the role of culture in PTSD and the appropriate use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, cultural formulation outline. 90 It also nicely illustrated traumatic grief in response to a large predator attack: the sudden appearance and rapidity and severity of injury inflicted by these large predators produce intense ensuing feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, life threat, loss of body image, and function in surviving persons, and survivor guilt in family and community members. The bodies of victims of large feline carnivore attacks are often missing, making closure difficult for survivors.…”

“…The bodies of victims of large feline carnivore attacks are often missing, making closure difficult for survivors. 90,91 Further data supporting the significant role of PTSD in victims of large animal attacks are provided by studies discussing the management of victims of bear maulings in Calgary, Alberta, 92 and those describing children injured in dog attacks. 93,94 These illustrate that symptoms persist for months and improve with appropriate counseling.…”