Health consequences of SED independent: Why former victims suffer

Health consequences of SED independent: Why former victims suffer

Psychological disorders, health problems and social relevance are central issues in current research on the long-term consequences of SED inheritance. A comprehensive study, carried out on university clinics in Jena, Leipzig, Magdeburg and Rostock, has determined significant differences in the state of health of former youth workers and politically imprisoned compared to the general population. As MDR , these people often suffer from a higher frequency of mental disorders and physical illnesses, including cardiovascular problems and Pain syndromes.

Research shows that decomposition victims that were affected by the constant surveillance and state repression of the GDR have an increased tendency to inflammation. This inclination could be an indicator of the more common health complaints that have developed over decades. The victims concerned mainly report bad experiences, which lead to a feeling of questioning positions both in the context of advice and in legal assessments in administrative authorities. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Strauß emphasizes that many victims feel that they are not believed.

social responsibility for processing

The processing of the injustice committed in the GDR, in particular by the Socialist Unity Party in Germany (SED) and the Ministry of State Security (MfS), remains a social obligation. After more than 30 years of German unity, an objective view of these topics is essential. Many affected people currently reach retirement age and deal more intensively with their past. An initiative of the last federal government called for a simplification of the recognition of traumatic stress for GDR victims.

In the printed matter 19/10613 of the German Bundestag, a competence center is required that focuses on the assessment and treatment of long -term consequences. The Bundestag approved around EUR 2.4 million for a three -year project for health processing, which started in July 2021. Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024, the four university clinics work on twelve research topics that aim to improve the therapeutic care of SED victims.

deepened research and knowledge

in Rostock has also been proven that the prevalence rate for mental disorders in decomposition victims is significantly higher. When investigating former GDR performance athletes, it was found that at least one mental disorder was diagnosed in 98 % of the athletes, with fear and depressive disorders often occurring. These high figures illustrate the relevance of the medical and psychotherapeutic care of these groups and the presence of a lot of ignorance about dealing with those affected by injustice in the professional areas.

The results of these studies illustrate the urgent need to further deal with the long-term consequences of SED in law in order to provide the data subjects the recognition and support they need.