title: Cinderella's stepmother syndrome.
abstract: Society, in times and places, has seemed to perceive stepmothers in a negative way. In the past, many of these women have quietly over-compensated in an effort to find acceptance in their new family situation, but they are now coming forward with their psychological distress. On the surface they may present a clinical picture similar to depressive illness (Dysthymic Disorder or Depressive Neurosis 300.40 in DSM III classification). The symptoms include: preoccupation with position in the family, feelings of anxiety, rejection, ineffectiveness, guilt, hostility and exhaustion, loss of self-esteem and overcompensation. With further exploration it becomes clear that the majority of them are experiencing distress that is normal within the context of their adjustment reaction. Clinical findings are based on two separate studies of twelve and ten patients respectively, where two different professionals found remarkably uniform symptoms which have been conceptualized as a new syndrome. An understanding of the normal adjustment reaction of these stepmothers to a very stressful situation can provide the basis for an effective treatment of their problem.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013577:Syndrome