Survivor syndrome
Survivor syndrome or survivor's guilt is a mental condition that occurs when a person perceives themselves to have done wrong by surviving a traumatic event when others did not. It may be found among survivors of combat, natural disasters, epidemics, among the friends and family of those who have died by suicide, and in non-mortal situations such as among those whose colleagues are laid off.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Survivor syndrome is a psychological condition that is characterized by feelings of guilt, anxiety, and emotional numbness following a traumatic event. The syndrome is often experienced by individuals who have survived a life-threatening situation in which others have died. This can include, but is not limited to, situations such as war, natural disasters, car accidents, and mass shootings.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of survivor syndrome can vary greatly from person to person, but often include feelings of guilt for having survived, flashbacks to the traumatic event, nightmares, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. In some cases, individuals may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and a general feeling of being unwell.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of survivor syndrome is not known, but it is believed to be a result of extreme stress and trauma. The guilt associated with surviving when others did not can lead to intense feelings of guilt and shame, which can in turn lead to the development of survivor syndrome.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for survivor syndrome typically involves psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of therapy helps individuals to understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or feelings of distress. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
See also[edit | edit source]
This article is a mental health-related stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
