A case of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake disaster in 1995

A 59-year-old man visited a clinic on May, 1995, because of a persistent chest discomfort at night and insomnia. He had experienced the Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake at Kobe alone and these symptoms had begun 1 month after the disaster. Preceding several physical examinations revealed no somatic etiology except for diabetes mellitus. The disease had also been worsened after the earthquake. On psychological evaluation, the patient felt not so much anxiety regarding earthquake and appeared to have an alexithymic personality. He also seemed to be in a state of masked depression. His symptom was confirmed only when he stayed in Kobe. From these viewpoints, the patient was diagnosed as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. After psychosomatic therapy including antidepressant, he showed rapid improvement. In conclusion, it is important to practice psychosomatic approach for patients when their symptoms occurred after the experience of traumatic disaster.