Resignation syndrome

Resignation syndrome (also called traumatic withdrawal syndrome or traumatic refusal or abandonment syndrome; Swedish: uppgivenhetssyndrom) is a hypothesized condition that induces a state of reduced consciousness, not recognized by the World Health Organization as a valid psychiatric condition. It was first described in Sweden in the 1990s. The condition affects predominately psychologically traumatized children and adolescents in the midst of a strenuous and lengthy migration process.^[1]

Young people reportedly develop depressive symptoms, become socially withdrawn, and become motionless and speechless as a reaction to stress and hopelessness. In the worst cases, children reject any food or drink and have to be fed by feeding tube;^[1] the condition can persist for years.^[2] Recovery ensues within months to years and is claimed to be dependent on the restoration of hope to the family.