The impact of a catastrophic life event on subsequent psychiatric illness

The long-term psychological impact of war was analysed using epidemiological data of incidence of hospitalised neurotics and psychotics for the year 1989 (German Ministry of Health). Frequency of mental disorders (expressed in cases per 10,000 inhabitants) were analysed as a function of year of birth. Females were overrepresented for all age groups. Females aged 5-10 years at the onset of the Second World War appeared most susceptible to such a catastrophe in later Life. Speculations about reasons for these findings are made.