Does anyone know anything about Pervasive Refusal Syndrome?

Question

Could anyone give me tips on helping someone with PRS. What are the best ways to help them recover?

Answer 1

Pervasive refusal syndrome is a severe, pervasive and life-threatening disorder. Most commonly seen in girls between the ages of 8 and 15, although also affecting boys and younger age groups, it is characterized by a profound and pervasive refusal to eat, drink, talk, walk and engage in any form of self-care. A determined resistance to treatment is a striking component of the condition. The causes are unclear, but likely to be complex, multiple and associated with a sense of hopelessness. Treatment needs to be comprehensive and is based on supporting the child in recovering at her own pace, while ensuring physical safety and well-being. The prognosis is good, provided treatment is appropriate, but recovery tends to take a year or more.

Answer 2

I worked in mental health for 20 years and I never heard of it.
I found it on the internet though, apparently psychiatrists in England/UK recognize it as a psychiatric condition.

I copied this from the web site:
Pervasive refusal syndrome is a severe, pervasive and life-threatening disorder. Most commonly seen in girls between the ages of 8 and 15, although also affecting boys and younger age groups, it is characterised by a profound and pervasive refusal to eat, drink, talk, walk and engage in any form of self-care. A determined resistance to treatment is a striking component of the condition.

In the USA, it would probably be diagnosed as Major Depression, Severe. I'm not sure what really makes it any different from Major Depression except PRS seems to have a more rigid criteria for all the symptoms (Major Depression can have all of these symptoms, but doesn't always.) However, there is no mention of a resistance to treatment being a criteria of the USA definition of Major Depression, and it is not confined to any specific age group or gender.

Answer 3

Pervasive Refusal Syndrome is a serious life threatening disorder. It is most commonly seen in girls between the ages of 8 and 15.

There is a total refusal to eat, drink, engage in activities (e.g. walking) or generally care for themselves in any way (including washing, toileting etc.)

Children with this disorder are often very determined, angry or frightened.

There is also often a history of conflict or violence in the childs family circumstances and it also appears that a history of sexual abuse contributes to this problem.

There is no physical cause for explanation of this behaviour

In some quarters Pervasive Refusal Syndrome is considered to be a child form of 'catatonia'

Answer 4

http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/10/2/153

Found details about it at the above link