Spiegel (1991) defines dissociation as the structured separation of mental processes, such as thoughts, memory, or identity, that are normally integrated. In a similar way, the American Psychologist Association (APA) defined it a few years later (1995), specifically, as the alteration of the integrative functions of identity, memory or consciousness.
So, if we talk about Ganser syndrome, can we say that it is a dissociative disorder or is it another type of disorder? The answer will depend on the manual we are consulting. As is common in the sciences, knowledge is updated periodically and it is common to observe changes and modifications over time.
If you want to know more about this syndrome and its evolution, keep reading! In this Psychology-Online article, we will talk about the Ganser syndrome: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment. In addition, we will show you an illustrative example so you can get an idea of what exactly it is.
What is Ganser syndrome
Ganser syndrome is a dissociative disorder present in the classification of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-R). According to this provision, it is among the unspecified dissociative disorders, since its symptoms are also common in a wide range of disorders, such as schizophrenia.
It should be noted that Ganser syndrome also manifests common symptoms with other organic brain disordersbut it no longer appears in the fifth edition of this (DSM-5), since in these cases it must be classified as the primary pathology.
Origin of Ganser syndrome
Ganser syndrome was described by Sigbert J.M.Ganser in 1898. The German psychiatrist thus diagnosed three prisoners awaiting trial for their answers to some questions, in which they showed traits of Vorbeiredenthat is, giving approximate answers, so that, being erroneous answers, they are so close to the correct answer that the questioner suspects that the subject knows the correct answer.
This led to Ganser syndrome also being described as the Approximate answers syndrome. Although Ganser was the promoter of this method, he himself recognized that it is uncommon and that it is surely more likely in those awaiting trial sentences than in those already sentenced.
Symptoms of Ganser syndrome
How does Ganser syndrome manifest? The symptoms initially described by the German psychiatrist were the following:
- Wrong answers to questions, but close to the correct answer. Specifically, he said: “When choosing responses, the patient appears to deliberately move from the indicated correct response to selecting a false one, which even a child could recognize as such” (cited in Sims, 1988).
- Disorders of consciousness: obtundation with disorientation.
- Hysterical stigmas.
- Amnesia for the period in which the symptoms manifested.
- Recent history of brain damage.
- emotional stress severe.
- Auditory and visual hallucinations: which rather take the form of pseudohallucinations.
Causes of Ganser syndrome
As always, the causes of Ganser syndrome that give rise to mental disorders are a combination of genetic and biological factors with environmental factors. None of them are decisive, but they are necessary for the manifestation of said disorder.
In the case of dissociative disorders, we find some theories that could explain the causes of their appearance:
- Neo-dissociative theory (Hilgard, 1977): a divided consciousness occurs due to the intervention, in certain circumstances, of executive control. In this way, the integration and hierarchical organization of the lower control structures is interrupted. The connection is broken and there is a decrease in voluntary control.
- Theory of memory disorders (Kihlstrom, 1990): a process becomes conscious only if a connection is established between the mental representation of the event and the agent of the event itself.
Treatment of Ganser syndrome
On the one hand, the Ganser syndrome patient could benefit from a pharmacological treatment accompanied by psychotherapy focused on a reorientation to reality. As it is a dissociative disorder, formerly known as hysteria, some psychoanalysts recommend treating this mental disorder.
On the other hand, if the trigger for Ganser syndrome is trauma, the treatment applied depends on its characteristics. Let’s look at the two most frequent cases:
- Psychological trauma: In this case, the treatment will consist of analyzing the mental processes involved in the traumatic event and working on its acceptance. In this article you will find more information about .
- Neurological trauma: There is brain damage, so initially the treatment of Ganser syndrome should focus on controlling and improving the physical damage caused. Subsequently, the symptom logia must be treated on a psychological level.
Example of Ganser syndrome
As we have seen, this mental disorder can be complicated to understand. Therefore, below, we will show you an example of Ganser syndrome, reported by Sims (1998), in which both symptoms of hysteria and organic symptoms are manifested.
The 20-year-old injured her head and suffered a concussion while in Italy. Her premorbid personality was markedly histrionic and theatrical, and when she was 13 she developed a hysterical ability to walk that lasted for several weeks. When she was transferred from the hospital in England, she responded as follows:
- +What is the capital of Italy?
- -Naples
- +How many legs does a centipede have?
- – 7
In addition to these responses, he also expressed flirtatious behavior, interference in other people’s treatment, and funny mannerisms.
After 12 days, it was found that the brain damage no longer existed and an intelligence test (WAIS) was started. In order to distinguish it, we recommend reading this article about . In the test, a greater deterioration was observed that was manifested especially in the verbal items, despite the fact that more than a month had passed. The young woman’s intellectual functioning did not return to a higher level until after 9 months.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Ganser syndrome: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatmentwe recommend that you enter our category.
References
- American psychiatric association, (2002). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM – 4. Madrid, Spain. Pan-American medical publishing house.
- American psychiatric association, (2014). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM – 5. Madrid, Spain. Pan-American medical publishing house.
Bibliography
- Belloch, A., Sandín, B., Ramos, F., (2009). Manual of psychopathology, volume II. Madrid. McGraw Hill / Interamericana de España, SAU