Abstract
Various forms of reactive syndromes are discussed by the authors in a historical perspective. In the second part of the paper various types of reactive disorders are described, including prison psychoses. Current classifications, DSM-IV and ICD-10, have been also taken into account. In conclusions it is stated that typical reactive psychoses occur rather seldom nowadays, while depressive and anxiety syndromes, as well as hallucinatory-delusional syndromes are diagnosed more often. Reactive symptoms are noted presently in proceedings concerned with disability pensioning and indemnification more often than formerly.