Third Reich in the Unconscious

The Third Reich in the Unconsciousconcerns itself with the third element of the psychological impact of massive human trauma: transgenerational transmission of psychological tasks. In order to study this topic and identify its pertinence to Third Reich-related case studies, the authors both revisit the effects of the Holocaust on second-generation survivors and outline the mechanics of transgenerational transmission in general. Describing in detail how transgenerational transmission occurs, this book focuses on the psychological processes of the younger generations, outside of their indentification with directly traumatized ancestors, and explains how historical images contaminate the expression of developmental conflicts at all levels. Also included are complete treatment processes for Jewish and German second-generation individuals, and, for the very first time, a full analysis of a traveler (gypsy). Accessible to the general readerThe Third Reich in the Unconsciouswill beof interest to anyone concerned with the Holocaust or past traumatic historical events.

Gabriele Ast was a faculty member of the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at the Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich.