PTSD—Aftermath of the Holocaust

By Vera (W) and Riya (W)

Studies have placed the prevalence of PTSD in the aging Holocaust survivor community between 46% to 55%. Scientists who work closely with Holocaust survivors have recognized a few commonalities employed on a daily basis by those who are able to thrive beyond their traumatic experiences.

Most patients from the Holocaust who developed PTSD were said to show symptoms within 6 months of the traumatic event, but in the cases of those incarcerated or fleeing Hitler during WW2, the incubation period is proving to be many year later at a much older age. Holocaust researchers say the problem is because very few survivors sought or were even offered psychiatric help soon after the event.

Survivors of the Holocaust are expected to be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several case studies have been made in order to prove this with survivors. For example, a particular study investigated PTSD symptoms in Holocaust survivors with well-documented exposure to trauma. The German files of 124 Jewish Holocaust survivors who were judged to be free from bipolar affective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and organic brain syndrome were selected from those of 145 applicants to West German compensation boards. The psychiatric assessments were re-examined to meet certain requirements descriptions of current PTSD symptoms according to the diagnostic criteria.

Another group of 20 Auschwitz survivors with tattooed identification numbers were also compared with the 45 survivors who had not been in concentration camps. 63% of the total sample had been detained in concentration camps, and an average of 78% of their first-degree relatives were reported killed in the Holocaust. Forty-six percent of the total sample met criteria requirements for PTSD. The most common symptoms were sleep disturbance, recurrent nightmares, and intense distress over reminders. The tattooed Auschwitz survivors had significantly more symptoms and were three times more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD than the survivors who had not been in concentration camps. Moreover, the results suggest a greater risk of chronic PTSD in survivors who were exposed to atrocities. Most survivors had not received adequate psychiatric care.

Yael Danieli is a psychologist, traumatologist and the director of the Group Project for Holocaust Survivors. She has extensively studied the ways Holocaust families have rebuilt functional lives after traumatic pasts. Some victimise themselves, others take on defensive mindsets, while others numb themselves to feel protected. You can see this from some of the comments made from different points in time by survivors. Their names were disclosed, but comments such as ‘I think we chose to get on with our life. And to get on with our life meant suppressing it, burying it’. Some survivors refused to talk after, one of them mentioned ‘I don’t want to talk about it because you don’t understand it anyway…you weren’t there’. Holocaust survivors even after getting out didn’t feel safe to talk about what happened, and because of this so many of them went unnoticed and undiagnosed. Back in 1945 mental illnesses and aftermath of the war was still mostly unrecognised.

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A survivor quoted that he didn’t want to talk about it because ‘You’re going to look at me like I’m crazy’. The majority chose silence over what they thought would have been embarrassment and shame.

Yoram Barak did a study on 61 Holocaust survivors exploring the idea of PTSD and whether it’s a temporary thing that goes away. However, 91.8% of the survivors were recognised to have chronic PTSD, meaning that the horrors they endured during the Holocaust stick with them through their whole life. Memory becomes a ‘lifelong burden’. Jews are still hated to this day by a huge list of nations. Holocaust survivors can’t seem to escape their past, and somehow this problem in the world goes unnoticed.

The Nuremberg trials were where the hearings of Nazis were held, a main candidate being Adolf Eichmann. Eichmann claimed that him and his comrades were ‘forced to serve as mere instruments,’ claiming that they were just following orders ‘We were not supposed to think’ said one of the Nazi generals. They claimed that they were ‘trained to obey orders’ and that ‘the thought of disobeying an order would simply never have occurred to anybody,’. However, the court didn’t accept these claims as they implied that anyone had a choice, the only exceptions were if they didn’t know what they were doing was illegal or if they would be in the hands of harm after doing so. Even the Nazis developed PTSD from the Holocaust as they were terrified to do anything less than just simply comply with the death of millions.

In conclusion the Holocaust caused long lasting post-traumatic stress disorder which caused long lasting effects, not only to the survivors but also to the ‘murderers’ themselves. This judgement has been proven in many case studies conducted by expert psychologists who have proven this in their findings. Sadly most survivors of the Holocaust never even came forward to say anything because they were ashamed and still terrified to this day.

PTSD in Soldiers

By Sam (Bn)

Wars have significantly impacted many people's lives; being civilians or a soldier. This could have a lasting effect on your day-to-day duties, mental health and behaviour. Throughout the ongoing course of the war, the majority of soldiers have been exposed to many traumatic events. As a result, they develop mental health problems; PTSD, anxiety and depression are the most publicised mental health challenges. Out of 100 veterans, about 11-20 of them have left with PTSD. The PTSD symptoms not only can affect your working ethic but also your emotions, thoughts and behaviours this is why the Army veterans have the highest divorce rates.