Resumen

DE LA BARRA, Flora  y  SILVA, Hernán. Desastres y salud mental. Revista Virtual REDESMA [online]. 2011, vol.5, n.2, pp. 45-50. ISSN 1995-1078.

Natural disasters have an impact on the mental health of the population involved. There are various responses ranging from an absolute paralysis state to a flight response. Among the factors that influence children's response to disasters is the way they perceive and understand the behavior of their parents. The maintenance of physical symptoms, persistent sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts or concerns, a recurring fear of dying, anxiety when separated from parents or going to school, are sufficient indicators of the need to consult a mental health professional.

Palabras llave : Biological evolution; pre-exposure traumatic stress; anxiety disorders; benzodiazepines; somatic and autonomic symptoms; psychomotor agitation and hyperexcitability; post-traumatic stress disorder.