Discussion of Klaus D. Hoppe's Article, The Psychodynamics of Concentration Camp Victims

My own observations on the “Psychological Effect of Imprisonment,” referred to inmates of the state prison—i.e., to a situation quite different from that in the Nazi concentration camps. However, this paper and another one on “Depersonalization” confirmed the frequency of initial “states of depersonalization, stupor and fright,” the “enforced regression” and also, in some persons, the partial identification with the Nazi authorities. This last point was probably much more significant in concentration camp victims than in the political prisoners whom I observed.

I also pointed to the disturbance in the sense of time of prisoners, which has been so beautifully described by Thomas Mann in The Magic Mountain.

What I should like to emphasize as a helpful protection from regression and depression is the aggressive “spite” reaction which in some persons, (prisoners and concentration camp victims) successfully supported their wish and efforts for survival.

I have not had any therapeutic experiences with survivors who had lost their families in concentration camps. But I want to emphasize the excessive greed reactions commonly shown by survivors—who did not lose members of their family—after their liberation.