decompensation
/ˌdiːkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/
Definition
The psychological process wherein a person's defense mechanisms fail to manage stress, resulting in the breakdown of mental health and a regression in functioning.
Etymology
The word is derived from the prefix 'de-' (meaning reversal or removal) combined with 'compensation,' originating from the Latin 'compensare' (to weigh together or counterbalance). In a clinical context, it signifies the loss of the ability to compensate for an underlying psychological or physiological deficit.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the severe decline in mental well-being experienced by detained immigrants as their ability to cope with the trauma of detention and isolation collapses. It highlights that this condition is particularly acute among racially-marginalized groups within the detention system.
Immigration Detention as Racialized Violence
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today