Resignation Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
Different phenomena, events and catastrophes continually occur in the world that can greatly affect our lives. From natural phenomena such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes to events caused by humans such as war and the suffering and helplessness it generates in those who have to live with it or flee their homes, this can generate profound repercussions on both a physical and psychological level. to those who suffer its effects.
In this sense, there are a large number of syndromes, diseases and disorders in the world that are related in some way to altering the lives of a large number of people. One of them is Resignation Syndrome, a strange phenomenon that has only been detected in Sweden and which we are going to talk about throughout this article.
A strange alteration that has been occurring in Sweden for a few years is called Resignation Syndrome. in part of the refugee population Specifically, we are dealing with a condition that has only been observed in children and adolescents between the ages of seven and nineteen.
This syndrome is characterized by the relatively rapid appearance of an extreme level of apathy, immobility, and mutism for no apparent biological reason First, there is a decrease in habitual behavior patterns and a reduction in activity and motivation, which can greatly worsen. Many of these children remain in a catatonic state, and sometimes even become in a coma-like state for months or years, unable to get up or nourish themselves.
In some cases they even require the use of tubes in order to stay nourished. On a biological level, the organism of these minors functions correctly, but despite this they remain completely immobile and inert. In fact, it has been speculated that we are facing a case of catatonia, the lack of mobility and response to stimulation being something shared between both conditions. It has also been associated with dissociative disorders.
These minors are commonly called “apathetic children,” and they have in common the fact that they are children of refugees from different countries, generally coming from the Balkans or the territories that were part of the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia or Syria, which They have experienced great traumas and complex situations in their countries of origin and/or on their way to the Swedish country and who face the possibility of not obtaining a residence permit.
Although this syndrome has only occurred in Sweden (something for which there is no explanation), the truth is that it has similarities with alterations found in concentration camp prisoners in World War II. It is observed that they lose the ability to fight, to confront their own defense and search for security or even to respond to external stimulation. It is practically as if consciousness is disconnected and the body functions automatically.
Hypotheses about its causes
Today, Resignation Syndrome is a little-known alteration and for which the causes are still unknown. It has been observed that it is closely related to the uncertainty regarding the possibility or notification of having to leave the country (in fact, families that have been able to stay have seen how the minor has shown improvement over time), but this does not explain why this occurs only in Sweden or why it does not occur on more occasions, nor the extreme severity that the syndrome can have.
There was also speculation about the possibility of being faced with a feigned illness or caused by the family as an attempt to remain in the country due to a child’s illness (something similar to Munchausen by proxy), but despite the fact that have observed some fraud attempts For the most part, the symptoms do not seem linked to these factors (their organisms function correctly and the symptoms are not feigned).
One of the main hypotheses indicates that the causes of this syndrome are predominantly psychological, being similar to other dissociative disorders generated by the experience of traumatic events, and that there may be a link with the phenomenon known as learned helplessness. The minor has observed that their actions and the actions of their parents have not been able to protect them and have not had a real effect (for example, despite fleeing their countries of origin, they cannot be accepted in the country that was hosting them).
Based on this, in psychodynamic terms, a split in consciousness is observed as a protection mechanism against reality. In reality the basic problem seems to be the traumatic experiences they have experienced previously and the fear and helplessness faced with the possibility of experiencing the same conditions again.
Linked to the above, it is considered that cultural elements such as the repression of negative emotions typical of some cultures can facilitate this Resignation Syndrome. not being able to express or express their suffering externally. Also the absence of contact or the fact of constantly being aware of your legal situation are elements of risk.
Why this problem has only been detected in Swedish territory, what causes some minors to trigger this syndrome and others not and why it only occurs in ages between seven and nineteen and no older and they continue to be today. a mystery that requires further investigation
Treatment
Finding an effective treatment for resignation syndrome is not easy, but most experts believe that recovery involves an increase in the feeling of security and a decrease in the perception of helplessness and rejection. This could involve obtaining a residence permit, but it has been observed that in the case of families that do not obtain it, a significant improvement and progressive recovery have been achieved.
In these cases, the first choice is to separate the minor from his or her family environment until recovery is achieved. Once this is done, the minor is subjected to a cognitive stimulation program in which the child is gradually revived through exposure to situations and stimuli: games, smells, physical exercise (even if they are not able to walk or move, they are guided through physical guidance), music or expression through drawing. It is important during this process that one cannot talk about the immigration process or expulsion from the country, as this could reinstitute insecurity and cause a relapse.
This last aspect is something to take into account, since recovery does not guarantee that a possible relapse cannot occur. Although the treatment focuses on the minor, the truth is that work could also be done with the family on aspects such as psychoeducation and psychological counseling.
