social breakdown syndrome


social

 [so´shal] pertaining to societies or other groups of people.social anxiety disorder social phobia.social breakdown syndrome deterioration of social and interpersonal skills, work habits, and behavior seen in chronically hospitalized psychiatric patients. Symptoms are due to the effects of long term hospitalization rather than the primary illness, and include excessive passivity, assumption of the chronic sick role, withdrawal, and apathy. Such effects are also seen in long term inmates of prisons or concentration camps. Called also institutionalism.social worker a professional trained in the treatment of psychosocial problems of patients and their families. Family social workers practice social case work. Psychiatric social workers practice various forms of counseling and group or individual psychotherapy. Most social workers have a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.). There are also bachelor's (B.S.W.) and doctoral (D.S.W.) degrees in social work.

social breakdown syndrome

Psychiatry A psychiatric Sx complex resulting from suboptimal treatment conditions and inadequate facilities–ie, not integral to the primary illness Etiology Social labeling, learning the role of chronically sick Pts, atrophy of work and social skills, identification with the sick. See Rehabilitation, Social labeling.