[Termination of pregnancy on psychiatric grounds (author's transl)]

303 psychiatric opinions were given between 1947 and 1969 regarding the termination of pregnancy. 45,2 per cent of the applications were supported, 53,4 per cent were rejected. In 10 per cent of the cases neurological disorders were present. 79 per cent of the women had psychiatric disorders among which reactive depressions had a definite majority of 89 per cent. Endogenous psychoses only represented a marginal group. Among the reactive depressive group young unmarried women in their first pregnancy with environmental conflicts and an increased readiness to express suicidal tendencies could be separated from a second group of older married women with one or more children, with fear of the future resulting from the feeling of an imminent in ability to cope, and restraint in the formulation of suicidal thoughts. The frequency of preceding suicidal attempts and the percentage of abnormal personalities were equally high in both groups. The investigated group must clearly be considered to a suicide-endangered high risk group. If abnormal personality traits, preceding suicide attempts, family and social conflicts with existing suicidal tendencies, and a reactivated state of depression occur together a reactive depression must also be considered an important criterium for a supportive attitude.