O'Brien LS, Payne RG. Prevention and management of panic in personnel facing a chemical threat--lessons from the Gulf War.
J ROY ARMY MED CORPS 1993;
139:41-5. [PMID:
8355235 DOI:
10.1136/jramc-139-02-02]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
During the Gulf War a number of subjects presented with panic, hyperventilation, and inability to wear respirators when chemical alarms were sounded, despite a perceived real chemical threat. Twenty-five such sufferers were seen at the Psychiatric Department of 33 General (Surgical) Hospital. This paper considers the aetiology of such responses, describes a mode of treatment which can be used in the threat situation, and considers issues of future training.
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