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Ganser syndrome is a rare dissociative disorder that mainly affects males, causing brief periods of erratic behavior, including hallucinations and confusion. Patients give approximate answers to simple questions and may not remember their behavior. It is believed to be a response to extremely stressful conditions and may resolve spontaneously. Therapy is used to address underlying issues and teach healthy stress relief techniques. It can be difficult to diagnose due to the brief nature of symptoms and other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Ganser syndrome is a dissociative disorder previously thought to be a factitious disorder, in which the patient displays symptoms of a physical or mental illness when no real condition is present. The syndrome is very rare and mainly affects males. It was first observed in prisoners and reported in 1898 by the German psychiatrist Sigbert Ganser, after whom the syndrome is named.
Patients diagnosed with Ganser syndrome experience brief periods of erratic behavior, which can include hallucinations, general confusion, and temporary paralysis. The most common symptom is giving approximate answers to simple questions, such as answering “five” when asked how many legs a dog has. This differs from some disorders that cause patients to give completely nonsensical answers because the patient provides an answer closely related to the question, demonstrating an understanding of the type of question being asked.
Patients with Ganser syndrome often don’t remember what they said or did during periods of strange behavior. While an exact cause of Ganser syndrome is unknown, many psychiatrists and other mental health professionals believe it occurs as a response to extremely stressful conditions. Symptoms often resolve spontaneously within a few days of the patient’s removal from the triggering situation.
Specific medical treatment for Ganser syndrome is usually not needed, although patients are monitored heavily during symptomatic periods to ensure they do not put themselves in dangerous situations. Patients often go through therapy sessions to help mental health professionals identify what triggered the onset of symptoms. Therapy also focuses on addressing any underlying issues that may have caused a situation to trigger, such as an extreme mental response, and teaching the patient healthy techniques for stress relief.
Patients with Ganser syndrome may suffer from other mental health problems, including depression and personality disorders. The syndrome does not result from other mental disorders, but individuals with other mental health problems may be more likely to develop Ganser syndrome. Doctors often have difficulty diagnosing patients with the syndrome due to the brief nature of the symptoms and the possibility that the patient may be manufacturing symptoms to get attention or in response to a mentally or emotionally stressful situation.
Other mental and physical conditions can also be responsible for symptoms similar to those that characterize Ganser syndrome. Confusion and nonsensical answers to basic questions are often found in patients who have suffered brain injuries, strokes, or seizures. Patients with dementia may also show similar symptoms and not remember what happened during states of confusion or hallucination.
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