Visible Wounds of Invisible Repression: A Perspective on the Importance of Investigating the Biological and Psychological Impact of Political Repression

Objective: Exposure to psychological trauma is a well-accepted risk factor for the development of mental and somatic diseases. However, chronic stressors not fulfilling the criteria of traumatic experience can have similarly adverse health consequences. While the harmful impact of chronic stressors is generally recognized among researchers, there is a lack of acknowledgment within clinical, political, and societal entities. This becomes evident in the experiences of victims of political repression in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), an authoritarian state in East Germany. Repression in the GDR included covert measures, such as Zersetzung (engl: disintegration), consisting of wiretapping, spreading rumors, or provoking failure in professional and social domains. It aimed to systematically undermine the psychosocial integrity of individuals, inducing anxiety, social isolation, and confusion. Method: This article integrates findings on repression in the GDR with existing trauma and chronic stress literature. Results: Zersetzung shares key features with severe psychosocial chronic stressors. Like trauma, experiencing Zersetzung likely dysregulated the biological stress systems, thereby predisposing victims to the health consequences they frequently experience to the present day. Conclusion: Certain severe chronic stressors, such as Zersetzung, do not appear to differ in their negative health consequences from Criterion A traumatic events. Identifying the biological and psychological impact of political repression techniques is essential, not only for public acknowledgment, and proper health care of victims of GDR repression, but also for those individuals suffering from similar repression methods today.

Automated summary

Exposure to psychological trauma and chronic stressors can both have negative health consequences, but the harmful impact of chronic stressors is often not recognized in clinical, political, and societal settings. Victims of political repression in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) experienced covert methods that caused significant psychological and social harm. Understanding the psychological and biological effects of political repression is crucial for the healthcare of victims and those currently experiencing similar forms of repression.