Psychiatric syndromes and the airport

The occurrence of psychiatric reactions at a large airport was studied in terms of both dynamic elements operating in the patients as well as aspects of the airport that might attract patients who are in an acutely decompensated state. Three types of phenomena are delineated--the transient, neurotic and psychotic syndromes. The focus is on the last group and clinical examples are offered regarding the choice of the airport and the magnetic effect this setting has for a particular group of disturbed patients. The relationships of irrationally formulated ideas associated with separation from the family and wishes for reuniting are discussed.