Learning From the Case of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident and the Mental Health Issues That Arise In Long-Term Disaster Relief Workers

The years-long pandemic of Covid-19 is expected to continue to affect many parts of the world as a disaster. Professionals
working in infectious disease control will also have to serve as disaster relief workers, and there is concern that adverse
health effects would occur. The author, a psychiatrist, reported on the course of a case in which a disaster relief worker
who responded to the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and nuclear power plant accident in 2011 was diagnosed with
bipolar II disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after spending three years in an overloaded state. Based on
this experience, the author pointed out the importance of recognizing PTSD and avoiding the normal practice of disaster
relief workers continuing to be active in an uplifted state of mind.

Author(s): Arinobu Hori

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