The immediate role of psychiatric staff in the resistance

The psychiatric staff of the University Department of Psychiatry in Osijek University Hospital played an active and important role during the 1991/92 war. This grew out of the analytical approach to psycho-social relations in the undirectional spiritual state of mind under the communist system of Yugoslavia. The role of psychiatric staff in the resistance against the aggressor was determined by a spontaneous freedom of choice, an aspiration for permanent harmony of moral and legal system, mature interpersonal relations and an awareness of their place in the national community. Psychiatric staff investigate the psychology of a nation, its desires, anxieties and defense and they recognize their role. War makes therapeutical relationships more complex and demands almost daily supervision of the counter-transfer reactions towards the wounded, refugees and other patients who ask for or need psychiatric help. This study comments on the experiences of a group of staff members of the University Department of Psychiatry. In addition, the therapeutical phenomena in their relations with patients are also recognized.