relapsed

Relapsed is the past tense and past participle of relapse, used to describe the return of symptoms, disease activity, or a behavior after a period of improvement or remission. In a medical context, relapse denotes the reappearance of a condition that had previously diminished or become inactive, rather than a new illness.

In cancer, relapse refers to cancer returning after a period of remission and can be local, regional, or distant (metastatic). In infectious diseases, relapse can occur when causative agents persist in latent forms or reappear after an interval of apparent control, such as malaria caused by dormant liver forms; it is distinguished from recrudescence, which is a resurgence of symptoms due to incomplete initial clearance of the pathogen. Relapse can also be described in chronic or autoimmune diseases when symptoms recur after a period of improvement.

In addiction and psychiatry, relapse denotes resumption of substance use or a harmful behavior following a period of abstinence or controlled use. It is a common, often anticipated part of the treatment process and is influenced by factors such as stress, environmental cues, withdrawal, and craving.

Patterns of relapse are sometimes described as emotional, cognitive, or behavioral, reflecting stages of risk before full symptom return. Prevention and management emphasize continuous care, monitoring for warning signs, addressing triggers, and evidence-based interventions such as pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapies, and social support.

Overall, relapse signals a need to reassess treatment plans, reinforce coping strategies, and re-engage appropriate medical or psychosocial supports to reduce harm and improve long-term outcomes.