Physical illness in children of Holocaust survivors

During medical or psychiatric hospitalization, Nazi Holocaust survivors may display emotional symptoms that reflect the psychological sequelae incurred by their traumatization. What is often less recognized is the idiosyncratic responses that may be seen in the children of these survivors in response to physical illness and hospitalization. Psychiatrists should be alert to the possible effects of Holocaust-related experiences. Awareness of emotional conflicts, defenses, and strengths in these individuals may enhance the therapeutic alliance as well as treatment planning. The author describes two cases illustrating adaptive and maladaptive manifestations of the Holocaust theme in response to medical illness.