Survivors and injured people from fires face serious psychological consequences, said Doctor Slavica Arsova, director of the University Clinic of Psychiatry, at the second Scientific Conference of the University Clinic of Dermatology, which was held last weekend in Skopje.
This was shown by a study prepared by the University Clinic of Psychiatry conducted among 50 injured people in the tragic nightclub fire in Kochani – respondents who were treated as part of the treatment of scars with PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) at the University Clinic of Dermatology. The results show that one-third of the respondents have shown signs of anxiety, 27.5 percent have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 21.6 percent are battling depression.
The research was conducted from January to March 2026 and will be further researched in order to obtain scientifically verified data on the psychological consequences of one of the most serious tragedies in recent Macedonian history.
“The fire at the Pulse nightclub is a mass accident caused by human factors, an event that, according to the literature, carries a significantly higher psychiatric morbidity than natural disasters,” said Prof. Dr. Arsova.
As many as 72 percent of the respondents reported the loss of a loved one in the tragic event, which proves to be a significant factor in the occurrence of PTSD. At the same time, 96 percent cite the family as the main source of support, which emphasizes its key role in the recovery process.
