Specific character of psychiatric problems among seafarers

The impact of specific working conditions on ships on the psyche of seafarers is discussed. The occupational exposures act upon the nervous system of a seafarer for a long time, for the duration of the voyage. The knowledge of these conditions is necessary for a psychiatrist to diagnose cases of nervous system diseases in seafarers, and to treat them. The author conciders justified to separate a sub-specialty in psychiatry--the maritime psychiatry.