Theoretical review of the Refusal Syndrome among asylum-seeking children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/escpsi.16.2.2023.16216Keywords:
asylum-seeking children, ethnic minorities, pervasive refusal syndrome, theoretical reviewAbstract
The Pervasive Refusal Syndrome is a gradual process that leads to catatonia and usually requires nasogastric feeding. This syndrome mainly affects asylum-seeking girls between 7 and 15 years of age from certain ethnic minorities and presents comorbidity with depressive episodes and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Pervasive Refusal Syndrome has a total recovery rate of 78%, partial of 16%, and a mortality of 1%, and sequelae take the form of retrograde amnesia, chronic anxiety or depression. Its therapeutic approach is double: systemic therapy complemented with integrative medicine and pharmacological treatment. The present theoretical review concludes the paucity of ongoing research on a syndrome that, paradoxically, is increasing worldwide.
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