Insomnia and PTSD one month after wildfires: evidence for an independent role of the "fear of imminent death".

OBJECTIVE

The relationship of insomnia with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) one month after wildfires and more specifically with the experience of 'fear of imminent death' were investigated.

METHODS

Ninety-two randomly chosen victims of wildfires in the Greek province of Ilia, were assessed through a specifically designed semi-structured psychiatric interview comprising of questionnaires and scales to measure psychopathology, as well as psychosocial and environmental parameters. PTSD was set according to ICD-10 research diagnostic criteria, while insomnia was assessed with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS).

RESULTS

The presence of insomnia was identified in 63.0% of the victims. 46.7% of the participants were diagnosed with PTSD in the first post-disaster month, while 51.1% of the total sample experienced 'fear of imminent death'. The majority of sleep complaints were significantly more frequent in subjects with PTSD. Female gender, PTSD, older age, and 'fear of imminent death' were independently associated with insomnia.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate that the diagnosis of insomnia, as well as, certain specific insomnia complaints were more frequent in female victims of wildfires who have experienced 'fear of imminent death' and have developed PTSD.