Peter Berner

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Ernst Peter Berner (born November 15, 1924 in Karlsbad ; †  November 17, 2012 in Paris ) was an Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist . He was professor of psychiatry and from 1971 to 1991 head of the University Clinic for Psychiatry at the University of Vienna .

Life

Peter Berner completed his studies at the University of Vienna and began working as an assistant doctor at the Psychiatric-Neurological University Clinic Vienna in 1951. In 1959 he became a senior physician . From 1960 to 1962 he worked as a Mental Health Adviser at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva and took part in missions in Europe and South America in the following years. In 1966 he completed his habilitation and then held a visiting professorship at the University of Lausanne . In August 1969, after the death of Hans Hoff , he took over as deputy director of the psychiatric-neurological university clinic, which he held until his retirement in 1991. In 1971 he was appointed full professor of psychiatry and became head of the university hospital. He has published over 200 specialist publications.

Act

Clinic management

In 1974, under the direction of Peter Berner, the previous psychiatric-neurological university clinic was divided into a psychiatric, neurological and children's neuropsychiatric clinic, as well as an institute for depth psychology. In the Psychiatric University Clinic, smaller clinical units (wards with a maximum of 20 beds) were combined with therapy methods that were new and innovative for the time. In addition to medication and psychotherapeutic discussions, it was thus possible to offer occupational therapy , physiotherapy and clinical-psychological interventions, which was not a matter of course at the time.

Development of the "axis syndromes"

In the scientific field, basic psychopathological research was his great concern. In addition to his book “Das paranoische Syndrom”, published in 1965, he developed a syndromatological diagnosis (“ Axis Syndrome” ), which included the affective, the schizophrenic and the organic psychoses. His efforts to create clearly defined terms in psychopathology and operationalized diagnostics were essential contributions to later developments that are the basis of modern research today.

Memberships and honors

Peter Berner held central positions in leading scientific societies. Among other things, he was Secretary General of the World Psychiatric Association (1977 to 1983), board member of the Association of European Psychiatrists and Vice President of the Austrian Society for Neurology and Psychiatry. For his services, he received high awards such as the Decoration of Honor for Services to the Liberation of Austria (1978) or the appointment of Officier de la Légion d'Honneur (1981).

Peter Berner has not only successfully managed the Psychiatric University Clinic for two decades, but has also given it a recognized place in the international scientific community.

literature

  • Eberhard Gabriel, Christoph Mundt, Sabine Herpertz: Professor Peter Berner (November 15, 1924 to November 17, 2012). In: Psychopathology. Vol. 46, H. 3, April 2013, pp. 133-135, DOI: 10.1159 / 000348548 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Berner, Ernst Peter In: Josef Weinmann: Egerländer biografisches Lexikon. Volume 1, Weinmann, Männedorf 1985.
personal data
SURNAME Berner, Peter
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Berner, Ernst Peter (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian psychiatrist and university professor
DATE OF BIRTH November 15, 1924
PLACE OF BIRTH Carlsbad
DATE OF DEATH 17th November 2012
Place of death Paris