Management of Pathological Grief in Ganser Syndrome: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5538/2385-703X.2026.31.55Keywords:
Nursing Care, Patient-Centered Care, Ganser Syndrome, Prolonged Grief DisorderAbstract
Ganser syndrome is a rare mental disorder characterized by approximate answers to simple questions, altered states of consciousness, functional neurological symptoms, and dissociative phenomena. The prevalence is higher in young men exposed to situations of extreme stress. The therapeutic approach is mainly supportive, complemented by pharmacological treatment. Therefore, it requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation.
This article describes the clinical case of a 58-year-old man admitted to the adult mental health unit due to suspected Ganser syndrome. In addition to the differential diagnosis and pharmacological treatment, psychoeducational strategies and individual and group therapy are applied.
The objective is to develop an individualized care plan for a person with Ganser syndrome based on the assessment performed using Marjory Gordon's functional health patterns.
A nursing assessment was conducted, and an individualized care plan was developed using the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) taxonomy, the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). The identified NANDA diagnoses included: 'Maladaptive grief [00301]', 'Impaired social interaction [00052]', and 'Altered thought processes [00493]'. The nursing interventions fostered improvements in orientation, a reduction in dissociative symptomatology, and greater social participation. The NOC indicators showed progress in coping, social interaction, and self-control of thought. This case highlights the relevance of the nursing role in early detection and the comprehensive approach to pathological grief associated with Ganser syndrome.
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