[Late effects of massive psychic trauma. Holocaust survivors 50 years later]

The authors report the results of a study aimed at examining the present mental state, adjustment and lifestyle of a non-clinical sample of Holocaust survivors aged 60 and over. Most the interviewees have suffered since the war from various psychic symptoms, the so-called "survivor syndrome". Concentration camp survivors form a special group whose level of suffering appears greater and more severe than other survivors. In spite of continuous mental suffering Holocaust survivors have succeeded in adjusting well. They hold top positions at work, are socially successful and have stable family nuclei. They behave as if they need to fulfil the expectations of all those who perished in the Holocaust. Only 4 subjects reported a latency period before the appearance of symptoms.