Ganser syndrome

The Ganser syndrome is a disease of psychiatry, in which the mostly younger male patients respond incorrectly. It is also referred to as " pseudo- dementia ", " Pseudodebilität " or " hysterical twilight state ". It was first described in 1897 by the German psychiatrist Sigbert Josef Maria Ganser and later named after him.

Symptoms and complaints

Typically, the pre- answers is also the simplest questions, such as 3 4 = 8 or color of the sun = green. The question is apparently so understood, as it responds in the correct category, but consciously or unconsciously, the patient answers incorrectly. This mainly affects men younger to middle age.

Consequences and complications

Sufferers are "crazy" or "stupid" for held and treated accordingly. It can lead to scholastic, professional and social failure, and thus to the insulation.

The Ganser syndrome can be confused with other mental disorders, such as with dementia.

Causes

Initially it was assumed that it is the simulation of mental illness in stressful situations ( for example, as an expression of a prison psychosis), therefore it was called factitious disorder. Although in individual cases, the demarcation for the simulation remains difficult, the Ganser syndrome is seen today as a nosologic entity or a malfunction. The two relevant classification systems ICD -10 and DSM-IV, according to the Ganser syndrome falls under dissociative disorders.

Similar symptoms may also occur with organic brain disorders, such as after a stroke or brain tumors.

Treatment

The treatment of the Ganser syndrome is usually difficult. There are experiments with behavioral therapy.