The Traumatic Syndrome

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Abstract
This paper demonstrates both the similarities and the differences between concentration camp survivors and those suffering from other forms of psychiatric reactions resulting from trauma. In the former the systematic degradation, humiliation and persecution over a prolonged period of time, along with a sense of hopelessness and/or helplessness are characteristic features. Found at the other extreme of the spectrum is the acute traumatic event occurring in civil life and resulting in a classical traumatic neurosis but not leading to a total transformation of personality and life style. Between these two forms of psychiatric reactions there are various pathogenetic and pathoplastic mechanisms, sometimes overlapping but showing the underlying dynamic pattern of survival threat.

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