Schicksale der Verfolgten

The book explores trauma and its long-term effects on survivors of terror, particularly focusing on Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It examines the life paths and psychological consequences faced by concentration camp survivors, highlighting epidemiological studies in Israel and medical-psychiatric evaluations in Krakow. The text addresses the enduring impact of trauma, including changes in mental health as survivors age, and the resurgence of persecution trauma in later life. It also delves into childhood experiences of persecution, discussing how early trauma affects vulnerability in adulthood and the long-term effects of psychological trauma during childhood. The transmission of trauma to the "second generation" is a key theme, with literature reviews and clinical studies examining the implications for descendants of Holocaust survivors. Additionally, the book tackles issues related to compensation and rehabilitation, addressing methodological challenges in studying former concentration camp inmates and the complexities of assessing psychological damage for compensation purposes. Lastly, it covers the psychodynamics of trauma, including survivor experiences of dehumanization, group therapy for the second generation, and the treatment of psychological disorders in survivors of torture, drawing parallels with other historical contexts of terror.