Changing definitions of euphoria in multiple sclerosis: A short report

Abstract

A recent interest in euphoria in multiple sclerosis (MS) has resulted in a wealth of literature on this topic. However, a marked change in the definition of this symptom appears to have taken place since its first descriptions in the mid-19(th) century. This short report will demonstrate that the 'euphoria' being studied today may not be the same state as that originally observed and described in MS patients and some implications of this possibility are discussed.

The Incidence of Euphoria in Multiple Sclerosis: Artefact of Measure

“…In our review of the change in conceptual definition of euphoria [ 1 ], we noted the need for clear, reliable, and widely recognised conceptual definitions of euphoria and we extend this here to consistent and accepted means of measuring these complex constructs as well as a comprehensive understanding of what characterises a pathological representation of this symptom. Without standardised measurement instruments we will continue to face unreliable incidence rates that cannot be compared and will continue to either under- or overreport the incidence of this interesting cluster of neuropsychiatric symptoms.…”

“…In our previous work, we established that a change in the conceptual definition of pathological euphoria appears to have occurred over the last 100 years [ 1 ]. In this paper, we broaden that notion to include that a change in operational definition appears to have also taken place.…”

“…Reports of these symptoms, collectively referred to as “euphoria,” date back to the 1800s. A critical review of the historical development of these constructs has revealed a number of changes in the conceptual definitions since their first appearances in the literature, regarding the number of symptoms that constitute euphoria as well as the definitions of those types [ 1 ]. However, a change in incidence of these symptoms also appears to have occurred.…”

Identification and characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…Невозможность предсказать развитие обострения, а также его характер и возможные последствия, могут приводить к развитию тревожных и депрессивных расстройств, а в ряде случаев и к формированию посттравматического стрессового расстройства (ПТСР), сопровождаться переживанием интенсивного чувства страха, беспомощности, навязчивыми мыслями, повышением возбудимости, избегающим поведением. В литературе широко представлены исследования, описывающие формирование различных психопатологических коморбидных состояний у пациентов с РС [1,10,11,13,15,16,17,18,20,21,23].…”

Associated Psychological Disorders and Impairment of Emotional Regulation among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Впервые эйфорию у пациентов с РС описал Ж. Шарко в «Лекциях по нервным болезням» в 1877 году «Глупое безразличие», о котором он говорил, было присуще «большинству пациентов» с этим заболеванием [24]. Позднее такие исследователи как S. Wilk's в 1878 г., W. Moxon и W. Gowers в 1880 г. также подтвердили высокую частоту встречаемости эйфории у данной группы пациентов [29]. В 1904 г. P. Hoffman писал о том, что эйфория является «характерной особенностью психического статуса» пациентов [75].…”