Psychiatric evaluation Ezidi Iraqi refugee children who settle in refugee camp in Turkey

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to review the distribution of diagnoses in children and adolescents evaluated by a child psychiatrist, in refugee camps in Diyarbakır, Cizre and Silopi province of Turkey.

Methods

Sociodemographic data, psychiatric complaints and distribution of psychiatric diagnoses of 38 children and adolescents living in refugee camps in Diyarbakır, Cizre and Silopi were evaluated. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to DSM-5 criteria but some diagnoses as conversion disorder were also mentioned even tough they were not included in DSM-5.

Results

The sample consisted of 22 female and 16 male children and adolescents. The mean age was 12.1 ± 4.5 and the range was 2–18 years. The mean duration of residency in the camp was 23.2 ± 3.9 days. The most common symptom was sleep problems. The most frequently seen psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (36.8%) and at least two comorbidities were detected in 50% of children and adolescents. This diagnosis was followed by conversion disorder (28.9%), adjustment disorder (21.8%), acute stress disorder (18.4%), enuresis nocturna (18.4%), post-traumatic stress disorder (10.5%), separation anxiety disorder (10.5%), somatization disorder (7.8%), selective mutism (2.5%) and night terror (2.5%) respectively.

Conclusion

The study revealed that in refugee children and adolescents, starting from the early days of the migration period, various psychiatric symptoms and disorders might be seen. Therefore, it is essential to integrate psychosocial support units into the aid and support programs for refugees and quite important to observe and treat children in terms of psychiatric disorders, starting from the early days of the migration period.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.