On the Phenomenon of Suffering in the Medical Context (Literature Review)



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Abstract

The phenomenon of suffering is examined from multiple perspectives, including philosophical, psychological, social, and medical (particularly forensic-expert), due to its multifaceted and complex nature.

The purpose of this article is to review the scientific literature on the medical perspective of suffering, focusing on developing a conceptual framework for further theoretical and practical research aimed at creating a methodology for forensic psychological-psychiatric expertise on suffering. This includes approaches to assessing its severity, especially in the context of psychological (moral) harm.

The article explores existing definitions and concepts of suffering, its typology, including physical, psychological, and social dimensions. It outlines the key mechanisms of suffering, such as threats to personal integrity, frustration of essential needs, and the depletion of resources and adaptive mechanisms. Additionally, it discusses current approaches to diagnosing and measuring suffering, including objective clinical methods and subjective self-assessment scales, as well as various classifications of its severity.

The findings highlight the absence of a universal definition of suffering and standardized criteria for forensic expert evaluation, which complicates the formulation of objective expert opinions and underscores the need for an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of suffering.

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About the authors

Tynchtykbek K. Asanov

Institute of Personality and Mental Health

Author for correspondence.
Email: tk.asanov@gmail.com

Head

Kyrgyzstan, 17/1-53, Baytik Baatyr street, Bishkek, 720055, Kyrgyz Republic

Aida R. Parpieva

Email: parpieva@gmail.com

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