kaotustuse
Kaotustuse is a term in Estonian-language discourse describing a psychosocial condition marked by persistent distress after experiences of loss. It is not a formal medical diagnosis in DSM-5 or ICD-11, but is used by researchers and clinicians to discuss the mental health impact of bereavement, displacement, or other social losses. The concept focuses on cumulative, culturally shaped responses to loss rather than a single syndrome.
Etymology and usage: The word combines kaotus meaning loss with a suffix used in Estonian neologisms for
Symptoms: Common presentations include prolonged sadness, preoccupation with loss, sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritability, and social withdrawal.
Causes and risk factors: Causes are not fixed; risk factors include exposure to multiple or unresolved losses,
Diagnosis: There is no standardized diagnostic criterion. Evaluation relies on clinical interviews and scales for grief,
Treatment and prognosis: Interventions emphasize grief-focused psychotherapy (such as meaning-centered or cognitive-behavioral approaches), social support, and
Cultural context: In Estonia and Baltic scholarship, kaotustuse is used to discuss how social change and collective