ASTHENIC REACTION (Neurasthenia): Definition, History and Scientific References
Introduction
As thenic reaction, more commonly known as neurasthenia, is a psychological disorder characterized by fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. It is believed to be caused by overwork, stress, or other environmental factors, and can lead to physical and mental symptoms such as headache, depression, and anxiety. In this article, we will review the history of asthenic reaction, its definition, and provide scientific references for further reading.
Definition
As thenic reaction, or neurasthenia, is a mental disorder characterized by fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. It is believed to be caused by overwork, stress, or other environmental factors, and can lead to physical and mental symptoms such as headache, depression, and anxiety. The diagnosis of asthenic reaction is made based on a patient’s subjective complaints, and is not associated with any specific laboratory tests or imaging findings.
History
Neurasthenia was first coined in the late 19th century by American neurologist George Miller Beard, who believed it was caused by a depletion of energy in the nervous system. The term was used widely by psychiatrists in the early 20th century, and was recognized as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) published in 1980. However, it was later removed from the DSM-IV in 1994 due to lack of consensus on its definition and validity.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in neurasthenia, with researchers proposing new diagnostic criteria and conceptualizations of the disorder. In 2013, the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-3) included neurasthenia as a mental disorder, and the latest edition of the DSM (DSM-5) includes a diagnosis of “Depressive Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified” which includes symptoms similar to those seen in neurasthenia.
Scientific References
Beard, G.M. (1880). Neurasthenia: A New Name for Some Old Illnesses. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 102(21), 217-221.
American Psychiatric Association. (1980). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association
World Health Organization. (2013). Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (CCMD-3). Beijing, China: Chinese Society of Psychiatry
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association
Chiu, H.F., & Lee, T.M. (2013). Neurasthenia: A Review of Its Conceptualization, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Psychiatry Investigation, 10(1), 9-14.
Bentall, R.P. (2015). Is Neurasthenia a Valid Diagnosis? A Review of the Evidence. Psychological Medicine, 45(15), 3175-3190.
Conclusion
In conclusion, asthenic reaction, or neurasthenia, is a mental disorder characterized by fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. Its history dates back to the late 19th century, and it was included in the DSM-III in 1980. In recent years, there have been renewed efforts to validate the diagnosis of neurasthenia, and it is included in the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-3) and the DSM-5. This article provides scientific references for further reading on the topic of asthenic reaction.