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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HenryO on July 10, 2001, at 15:31:20
Has anybody heard of the term demoralization syndrome?
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 11, 2001, at 0:10:47
In reply to Has anybody heard of demoralization syndrome?, posted by HenryO on July 10, 2001, at 15:31:20
Siris, Samuel G. M.D.. Depression in Schizophrenia: Perspective in the Era of "Atypical" Antipsychotic Agents. American Journal of Psychiatry. 157(9):1379-1389, September 2000:
"Chronic reactions to disappointment or stress have also been termed the demoralization syndrome (65-67). By definition, these last longer and are apt to be more difficult to distinguish from other forms of depression. Indeed, schizophrenic patients who experience less of a sense of control regarding their illness (one of the hallmarks of demoralization) have been found to be more likely to experience depression (10). Demoralized patients with extended histories of disappointment or failure can also develop the conviction that a useful or satisfying life is impossible, further blurring the distinction from other forms of depression. Demoralization is important to diagnose because it may be more responsive than other depressed states to appropriately targeted psychosocial interventions..."
> Has anybody heard of the term demoralization syndrome?
Posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 2:04:51
In reply to Has anybody heard of demoralization syndrome?, posted by HenryO on July 10, 2001, at 15:31:20
> Has anybody heard of the term demoralization syndrome?
"Demoralization" is a word often used to describe what one might call "depression secondary to depression." (It can also be secondary to another illness.) It means that a person has lost motivation and interest due to long-term stress, frequent failures, etc.
-elizabeth
Posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 9:40:02
In reply to Re: Has anybody heard of demoralization syndrome? » HenryO, posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 2:04:51
> > Has anybody heard of the term demoralization syndrome?
>
> "Demoralization" is a word often used to describe what one might call "depression secondary to depression." (It can also be secondary to another illness.) It means that a person has lost motivation and interest due to long-term stress, frequent failures, etc.Sounds kinda like the 'learned helplessness' (from the dog/elec. shock experiment) that a psychiatrist-cum-psychologist spent 3 months trying to convince me was at the root of my problems (have since been diagnosed Bipolar by his colleague!)
Or the time a treatment-resistant-specialist (in her case a misnomer if ever there was one) booked me into a 'Depersonalisation Disorder Clinic' (I suffer chronic depersonalisation). I asked her what special medications they might offer. She declined to say but it was obvious that treatment wld amount to well-meaning individuals trying to 'coax' me out of my 'self-created world of unreality', which *of course* is a 'defence mechanism'. Right.
What these (in the main) psychologists fail to realise is that the spurious conditions they concoct are really no more than elaborate descriptions of symptoms of depression itself (or, as e. points out, of another underlying illness). I have my doubts over 'Demoralisation Syndrome' being a primary condition. I wld imagine that if one is chronically 'demoralised', they would also be depressed.
Anyway, that's my mini-rant for the fortnight. Thanx 4 giving me the opportunity Henry :-)
Hi e.J
Posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 9:51:26
In reply to Re: Has anybody heard of demoralization syndrome? » HenryO, posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 2:04:51
> >Or the time a treatment-resistant-specialist booked me into a 'Depersonalisation Disorder Clinic' (I suffer chronic depersonalisation).
Hi Elizabeth.Sorry for butting in on yr thread Henry, but since I've mentioned it...
Elizabeth, the guy I saw the other day was of the opinion that Depersonalisation is strongly tied in with the opioid system. My entire immediate family suffers from this to some degree. Any thoughts, bearing in mind my case notes (if you can remember!)?
Thanks,
J.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 16:22:13
In reply to Re:anybody heard of Depersonalization syndrome? » Elizabeth, posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 9:51:26
> Elizabeth, the guy I saw the other day was of the opinion that Depersonalisation is strongly tied in with the opioid system. My entire immediate family suffers from this to some degree. Any thoughts, bearing in mind my case notes (if you can remember!)?
I know a few people who suffered from dissociative episodes (including depersonalisation) who found naltrexone helpful in preventing the episodes.
What effect do full opioid agonists (morphine, etc.) have on your dissociative tendencies, if any?
-elizabeth
Posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 16:24:52
In reply to Re: Has anybody heard of demoralization syndrome?, posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 9:40:02
Jahl,
See if you can find a copy of Klein & Wender's _Understanding Depression_ (a book intended for lay people, not hard to follow but contains a lot of useful info). They discuss demoralisation as a product of depression.
The presence of demoralisation shouldn't be used to push depressed patients into "talk" therapy, though (IMHO).
-elizabeth
Posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 18:23:02
In reply to Re:anybody heard of Depersonalization syndrome? » JahL, posted by Elizabeth on July 11, 2001, at 16:22:13
> I know a few people who suffered from dissociative episodes (including depersonalisation) who found naltrexone helpful in preventing the episodes.
>
> What effect do full opioid agonists (morphine, etc.) have on your dissociative tendencies, if any?Hi.
As I've said previously they're the one class of drug (street or otherwise) I've managed to steer clear of. Always *knew* I'd like them too much. My instinct tells me they'd help greatly but what does that tell you?Can't get Naltrexone or Buph. prescribed. F*****s.
Ta,
J.
Posted by Elizabeth on July 12, 2001, at 19:59:27
In reply to Re:anybody heard of Depersonalization syndrome? » Elizabeth, posted by JahL on July 11, 2001, at 18:23:02
> > What effect do full opioid agonists (morphine, etc.) have on your dissociative tendencies, if any?
>
> As I've said previously they're the one class of drug (street or otherwise) I've managed to steer clear of.Sorry for my poor memory. I was speaking of prescribed opioids, actually. Surely you got some Tylenol #3, Percocet, or Vicodin at some point.
> Always *knew* I'd like them too much.
Yeah, that's the warning that a lot of junkies give.
> Can't get Naltrexone or Buph. prescribed. F*****s.
I *sort of* understand about the bupe, but naltrexone? Jeez.
-elizabeth
This is the end of the thread.
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