Contents
- Sisi Syndrome – a special type of depression. What is it about?
- Sisi syndrome and depression – differences and similarities
- Sisi Syndrome – What was the cause of the Empress’s depression?
- Sisi syndrome and anorexia – problems of a mental nature of Empress Elizabeth
- Sisi Syndrome – is it easy to diagnose?
In general history, mental health problems have been experienced not only by average citizens, but also by people of the elite world. Members of aristocratic and royal families suffered from various kinds of nervous disorders, one of them was the Empress of Austria and the Queen of Hungary – Elizabeth of Bavaria. Her ailment was characterized by unusual symptoms, which is why she was called the Sisi syndrome after the duchess’s affectionate diminutive. What is this disease about? Does this disease affect many people today?
- Sisi syndrome is a type of depression characterized by increased energy gain in the patient and the desire to act and experience new things
- The Austrian empress, Elizabeth of Bavaria, did not feel well at the Viennese court, so she tried to diversify her life with the help of many entertainment
- Sisi’s mental problems were caused by the need to adapt to the strict rules of the court, conflicts with her husband and mother-in-law, and many tragic events, including the death of two children
- Empress Elizabeth struggled not only with depression, but also with anorexia
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Sisi Syndrome – a special type of depression. What is it about?
The ailments faced by the Austrian empress did not show symptoms typical of mental disorders. The woman was leading a prosperous and seemingly happy life, and although she was not happy with it, she did not show it. Sisi syndrome is a special type of depression that does not manifest itself in idleness, the need for isolation or even the end of one’s life, on the contrary. People suffering from this disease are energetic and willing to act. The problem is that doing all kinds of activities does not bring satisfaction with oneself and with work.
Researchers are divided on the recognition of Sisi syndrome as a separate mental disorder. Some are convinced that the symptoms that occur with this ailment clearly indicate that it can be considered a separate disease entity. According to opponents, there is still not enough scientific evidence to confirm that both patients and doctors are dealing with a form of depression.
Sisi syndrome was first diagnosed only 100 years after the death of Elizabeth of Bavaria, i.e. in 1998. Despite the constant disputes between specialists, the term referring to the Austrian empress appears in medical terminology. Today, only in Germany there are about 3 million people struggling with this unusual type of nervous breakdown. According to experts, the number of patients suffering from Sisi syndrome will increase.
Sisi syndrome and depression – differences and similarities
Depression, melancholy and sadness are terms that are often used to describe mental malaise. However, it is not always a temporary state. It happens that the above-mentioned feelings contribute to the occurrence of one of the most serious civilization diseases – depression. This condition is defined as a complex of mood disorders and long-term activity disorders. This complex condition affects not only the human psyche, but also the body.
Both the widespread and medical understanding of depression makes it easy to distinguish between it and Sisi syndrome. The discrepancies are at the level of the symptoms, which in the case of the illness of the Austrian empress do not give cause for concern. After all, this disease is known as one of the types of depression. The common elements of both ailments are the causes of their occurrence. Stressful situations in the patient’s life, traumatic experiences, and even genetic conditions may influence the appearance of mental disorders.
Do you have a long-lasting and lasting feeling of sadness and depression, you have the feeling that you cannot cope with problems, you have sudden changes in mood, do you feel overwhelmed by reality? Do not underestimate it, make an appointment with a psychologist. You can do this thanks to Medonet Market.
Sisi Syndrome – What was the cause of the Empress’s depression?
Life at the imperial court seems like a dream come true, but it is not a happy place for everyone. It was certainly not like that for the Austrian Empress Sisi. The woman was immersed in luxuries, she had servants and spacious chambers at her disposal, but neither material goods, nor even the love of her beloved made her feel completely happy. Rigid rules and etiquette at the court often irritated Elizabeth of Bavaria. Sisi did not feel at home there, hardly anyone understood her, therefore, feeling lonely, she sought solace in various types of entertainment.
Undoubtedly, the reasons for the emergence of nervous disorders in the empress were the compulsion to master court manners and adherence to strict rules in the palace. It is worth noting that little Sisi was not prepared to take the role of the ruler, therefore no special attention was paid to her education and assimilation of the principles of savoir-vivre. Her sister was to make a career as a ruler. Elizabeth of Bavaria was raised in a rural setting, where she rode horses and hunted. For this reason, the future empress did not know how to behave at the Viennese court for a long time.
Sisi’s wedding to Archduke Franz Józef Habsburg was a surprise for everyone. The man was to marry Helena of Bavaria, but he fell in love with her young sister at first sight. Even though the marriage was compatible and full of love, Elizabeth felt misunderstood by her husband. Contrary to her, he was a very down-to-earth man with conservative views. The lack of common interests and topics for conversation distanced young spouses from each other and contributed to the psychological problems of the woman.
- Types of psychotherapy. Indications for a visit to a psychotherapist [WE EXPLAIN]
Sisi’s malaise was also a result of the Archduke’s mother’s constant interference in the marriage and family life of the emperor and his wife. Zofia Wittelsbach long persuaded her son to marry Helena, and when it failed, she did not hide her lack of sympathy for Elizabeth. Moreover, in many conflict situations the woman was left to herself because Franz Joseph was taking the mother’s side. Sisi’s loneliness undoubtedly increased her husband’s lack of support.
The empress and the archduke had four children, but motherhood did not significantly improve the mental health of the duchess. Initially, Elżbieta Bawarska did not deal with raising her offspring, as Zofia Wittelsbach took over the care of them. It was only years later that Sisi demanded to look after the children on her own, but the distance between them was already very large.
The loss of two children undoubtedly contributed to the development of the depression of the Austrian empress. Princess Sophia died in Hungary, where her mother took her away despite the opposition of doctors and her mother-in-law. The death of a two-year-old shocked Elizabeth, as did the suicide of her son, Rudolf. After this tragedy, Sisi closed in on herself, reduced her duties in Vienna and made long journeys. Even though the Duchess felt a real maternal instinct only after the birth of her fourth child, the departure of her son and daughter left a mark on her psyche.
Sisi syndrome and anorexia – problems of a mental nature of Empress Elizabeth
The atypical type of depression is not the only disease that the empress struggled with – the woman probably also suffered from anorexia. This eating disorder is psychological and is characterized by deliberately giving up food. The effects of this condition are visible as the person suffering from it weighs well below the optimal level. A drastic drop in kilograms causes problems in the daily functioning of the body.
The supposition that Elizabeth of Bavaria suffered from anorexia is connected with information about her body weight. Sisi was 172 cm tall and weighed only 50 kg. The obsessive care of a slim figure manifested itself in the fact that she put on weight every day, and also took care of the quality of meals prepared for her. The empress’s small stature was also the result of her love of all kinds of sports. The woman loved to walk, ride horses and do gymnastic exercises. Thanks to these activities, she could feel happy even for a moment.
Sisi Syndrome – is it easy to diagnose?
It is not easy to see the mental problems with which the Austrian duchess was struggling. A person suffering from Sisi syndrome leads an apparently happy life, usually has a loving family, a well-paid job and a beautiful home, but still does not feel happy. Elżbieta Bawarska was in a similar situation, trying to get rid of the feeling of dissatisfaction by using all her energy on sports and other busy activities in the hope that they would bring her joy. However, these were unsuccessful attempts to deal with suffering.
If you have mood drops and depression or anxiety states, you can use CBD oils as an aid, as they alleviate disturbing symptoms and support the achievement of internal balance.
The Archduchess had an interesting personality. A positive attitude towards the world and people only over time turned into building distance and a kind of dryness. Willingness to take up various challenges, fascination with Hungary, passion for traveling and physical exercise made mental problems recede into the background. Probably Sisi’s extroverted disposition made depression invisible.
- Two personality traits favor the development of Alzheimer’s. What’s your risk?
The extremely colorful life of the Austrian empress made her one of the most recognizable rulers in history. Fate decided that instead of her sister, she stood at the side of Archduke Franz Józef and led a court life to which she was not used to. The husband’s lack of understanding, the aversion of the mother-in-law and the inability to find himself in the Habsburg house were some of the reasons for Elizabeth of Bavaria to develop depression. A sense of dissatisfaction expressed by the desire to change and experience new emotions characterized this particular disease – Sisi syndrome.