Thai Health Ministry Issues Advice for "Earthquake Drunk" Symptoms

[snoop1130]

Picture of people outside their buildings in Laksi district yesterday courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In response to the unusual phenomenon of "earthquake drunk" symptoms affecting residents, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has introduced expert guidelines to help those feeling unsteady post-quake. Reports of dizziness and disorientation have become common as people's balance systems grapple with seismic after-effects.

 

Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak shared practical tips for alleviating these symptoms. Breathing slowly and deeply, staying hydrated with water or ginger tea, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine top the list of recommendations. Reducing screen time, focusing on distant objects, and lying down can also help regain equilibrium.

 

While these symptoms are often short-lived, they can extend for individuals prone to anxiety or migraines. The ministry recommends steering clear of stress-inducing news and considering motion sickness medication for additional relief.

 

 

 

Anukul emphasised the government’s dedication to public well-being, offering reassurances that support is available for those whose daily lives are significantly impacted by stress. Though earthquake drunk isn’t life-threatening on its own, it raises the risk for falls and injuries in unstable environments.

 

Looking at past earthquakes, such as Japan's Tōhoku disaster in 2011 and the 1995 Kobe earthquake, disorientation delayed evacuations and contributed to poor decision-making, exacerbating risk.

 

Thai residents are encouraged to seek mental health support through avenues like here2healproject.com for consultations. Persistent symptoms should prompt a call to the emergency helpline at 1669 or the mental health hotline at 1323, ensuring help is always within reach, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-01

 

 

[ukrules]

Isn't it just vertigo?

[Artisi]

57 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Isn't it just vertigo?

Oh no! It's Thai earthquake syndrome and very difficult to handle. 

[alien365]

They lost me at 'don't drink coffee.'

[Formaleins]

8 minutes ago, alien365 said:

They lost me at 'don't drink coffee.'

I think they might be referring to "Not Drinking Your Profits" very good advice, if planning on opening a coffee shop.

[Watawattana]

I heard that beer is a good antidote for earthquake drunk symptoms.  Kind of a counterbalance...  Hic!

[quake]

Is this Thailand just being Special.

Sounds more like,  Mumbo Jumbo to me.

Time for some real drunk syndrome.

09:37 large Leo time. 

 

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, alien365 said:

They lost me at 'don't drink coffee.'

Caffeine is bad for vertigo

[danfoss5000]

I have those same symptoms after a few big changs

[rabas]

It's a real syndrome, PEDZ, Post Earthquake Dizziness Syndrome. It gained recognition after Japan's large earthquake in 2011. For many, your first significant earthquake can be quite traumatic. This is Bangkok's first significant earthquake in living memory so not surprising some people are a bit 'shaken'.

 

The problem here is how it's treated. My wife and her sister have had mild dizzy spells since the earthquake. We live on the top floor of a 20 story a condo and had a pretty wild ride. Just to relieve her worry, i took her to the hospital on Monday. After seeing two very young doctors, she walked away with several medications including a benzodiazepine and Amitriptyline used for long term major depressive disorders. These can mess with any normal mind and lead to long term dependence. Amitriptyline is a dangerous drug and should never used for normal issues like this.

 

Maybe a good idea to request an older doctor. 

[quake]

56 minutes ago, danfoss5000 said:

I have those same symptoms after a few big changs

 

What 3 Chang's.

Are you from Australia ?.

 

[portisaacozzy]

3 hours ago, alien365 said:

They lost me at 'don't drink coffee.'

yes,but what brand ??

[StandardIssue]

Wait, was RFK involved in this new diagnosis? Or Pete Hegseth? He's knows something about being drunk on an official level!

[lordgrinz]

When did the world change from raising the strong and resilient to the meek and feeble?

[realfunster]

I was in the office Monday (high-rise) and did a walk round to inspect the obvious but minor damage to our site. I'll admit to being a bit twitchy for an hour or two but settled down soon enough.

 

Quite a few Thai colleagues got swept up in Monday's mass unsubstantiated panic via social media, evacuated the building (via the lifts, of course 🙂) and took leave on Monday PM rather than stay in the office.

 

Today more of my Thai colleagues returned back to the office and indeed, PEDZ seems to be the trending illness-du-jour. Interesting how Thais can be both so resilient at times and then equally as flaky at others...

 

A quick Google indicates the Japanese have most commonly identified this condition in areas with major quakes followed by numerous significant after-shocks. The latter doesn't seem to apply in Thailand, unless sensitive folks that are on edge are picking up the numerous Myanmar after-shocks and others just aren't registering them.

 

Two main factors are proposed (1) motion sickness - hardly seems likely to be long lasting in Thailand beyond a few minutes/hours after a 1 minute quake and (2) anxiety/panic - more likely. Advice includes avoiding doom scrolling and reading negative earthquake related news which may heighten anxiety. Presumably, that might include reading about PEDZ and feeding that into the anxiety feedback loop also 😉. 

[quake]

27 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

When did the world change from raising the strong and resilient to the meek and feeble?

 

When Gen Pansy came along,  was about 30 years ago.

 

[John Drake]

4 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Caffeine is bad for vertigo

 

Yes. It's one of the first things you're advised to cut if you have inner ear problems.

[Photoguy21]

20 hours ago, Artisi said:

Oh no! It's Thai earthquake syndrome and very difficult to handle. 

Probably need a vaccine for it

[Artisi]

4 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

Probably need a vaccine for it

and a load of pills, amulet or two and at least 3 trips to your local Wat. 

[danfoss5000]

2 hours ago, quake said:

 

What 3 Chang's.

Are you from Australia ?.

 

Yeah thats right, when I say big changs Im talking about towers, most Australians would agree

[Photoguy21]

On 4/2/2025 at 2:09 PM, Artisi said:

and a load of pills, amulet or two and at least 3 trips to your local Wat. 

At the very least all of the above will be needed

[kimamey]

On 4/2/2025 at 5:18 AM, rabas said:

It's a real syndrome, PEDZ, Post Earthquake Dizziness Syndrome. It gained recognition after Japan's large earthquake in 2011. For many, your first significant earthquake can be quite traumatic. This is Bangkok's first significant earthquake in living memory so not surprising some people are a bit 'shaken'.

 

The problem here is how it's treated. My wife and her sister have had mild dizzy spells since the earthquake. We live on the top floor of a 20 story a condo and had a pretty wild ride. Just to relieve her worry, i took her to the hospital on Monday. After seeing two very young doctors, she walked away with several medications including a benzodiazepine and Amitriptyline used for long term major depressive disorders. These can mess with any normal mind and lead to long term dependence. Amitriptyline is a dangerous drug and should never used for normal issues like this.

 

Maybe a good idea to request an older doctor. 

I would have thought this was as likely, if not more so with older doctors who have been prescribing these for a long time and haven't caught up with the problems. 

[kimamey]

Whilst not wanting to dismiss this as nonsense, it was posted on April 1st. That's the problem, it's difficult to know what's true on that day. 

Some posts seem to back this up so maybe it is true.